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Council seeks Labor commitment to expansion of RAAF East SaleWellington Shire Council will be calling on the Labor Party to publicly commit to the expansion of RAAF East Sale, in the event that it becomes the next Government, during a meeting with Shadow Minister for Defence Kim Beazley on Monday 6 September. By Wellington Shire Council - 3rd September 2004 - Back to News A council delegation, led by Mayor Jeff Amos and Chief Executive Officer Lyndon Webb, will take the opportunity to discuss the issue with Mr Beazley as part of his visit to the shire.
The reassurance being sought over the base’s future follows commitment provided already by the Federal Government to expand the facility, by transferring the Officer Training College from Point Cook to East Sale. Preliminary work has already started on the move, with construction work earmarked to commence by the end of 2005 and completion expected in 2008.
The Wellington Shire Council-led push for the base has been greatly assisted by the invaluable support provided by a committee of leading local community representatives – formed to lobby for its expansion.
Said Mayor Jeff Amos: "It’s vitally important that we get the Labor Party to commit to the project in the same way as the present Government, so that whatever the outcome of the coming federal election the expansion of RAAF East Sale is assured and secure.
"Whilst we have received private, verbal assurance from the previous shadow minister that the project is safe, now is the ideal time for Mr Beazley to make the Labor Party’s commitment public.
"The base brings substantial economic benefit to Wellington Shire and Gippsland, currently representing around $20 million a year. The transfer of the Officer Training College will help further enhance the prosperity of the region long into the future and we will be emphasising this to the shadow minister. It will also assist the Government, by building on the excellent training skills already provided by RAAF East Sale."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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