Australia’s central right coalition has promised more than $ 8 billion ($ 5.6 billion) to be spent as part of boosting Australia’s military helicopter fleet if re-elected.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce on Monday the availability of 12 new Romeo maritime helicopters based in HMAS Albatross, a marginal seat in Gilmour, New South Wales.
There are also 29 Apache armed reconnaissance helicopters to replace the existing Tiger fleet.
However, none of the new aircraft will be available until 2025.
The new Romeo helicopter will replace the existing Taipan fleet used by the Navy, costing $ 2.5 billion, and $ 5.5 billion will be spent on the Army’s Apache fleet.
The Prime Minister said an additional $ 360 million would be spent on upgrading the HMAS Albatross facility and another $ 550 million on the Apache facility.
“More than $ 8 billion we are investing in helicopters and facilities means 290 new jobs for electricians, mechanics and engineers to support maintenance,” he said.
“Safe and secure Australia also means a stronger future for the work of a strong economy and defense industry.”
The coalition also announced a new $ 10 million round that will allow qualified publishers to apply for funding if newspaper prices rise by up to 80% under a public interest coverage program.
As the campaign for the May 21 vote entered the last two weeks, two new polls showed that the government was lagging behind the Labor Party, but the Prime Minister was on Sunday night 2 The discussion of the second leader stimulated the LNP’s track record dealing with the economy.
“It’s a choice between governments with strong economic plans … it’s not time to endanger things to the unknown,” Morrison said.
“Workers have no plans.”
Nationals frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said he wasn’t worried about the data showing that the coalition was 46-54 on the latest news pole.
“We are focused on giving Australians choices before May 21,” she told ABC Radio on Monday.
“We are not distracted by Ipsos, Newspole, etc., because after all, it is (voters) who decide who will lead our country in very difficult times. “
Senator Mackenzie denied that the views of MPs on issues such as climate change were dragging the vote of a coalition of seats in the city center at risk of falling into independence.
Urban voters, many held by moderate liberals, face significant challenges from so-called teal independents campaigning for stronger climate change measures and federal integrity committees. doing.
Senator Mackenzie wiped out the proposal that the public’s attitude towards climate contributed to the rise of independence.
“One of the great things about the coalition is that both the Liberal Party and the Kuomintang are in the government, which means you can hear both the voice of the city center and the voice of the Australian provinces,” she said.
“We were able to mediate great results on climate change … Plans for local and regional Australians that Net Zero would be able to seize those opportunities for them by 2050. I was able to develop. “
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Australian Associated Press is an Australian news agency.