Fed: Labor commits to Mulwala upgrade

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2001
Fed: Labor commits to Mulwala upgrade

CANBERRA, Aug 30 AAP - The opposition today committed a future Labor government to
upgrading the the high explosive and propellant plant operated by ADI at Mulwala, NSW.

Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley and defence spokesman Stephen Martin said a future
Labor government would ensure Australia retained a domestic capability for manufacture
of military explosives and ammunition propellants.

They said that would ensure a reliable supply of explosives and propellants to the
nearby ADI ammunition plant at Benalla, Victoria.

"Labor in government will ensure the maximisation of employment at each of the Mulwala
and Benalla factories," they said in a joint statement.

"Labor has a funded commitment to modernising and upgrading the Mulwala factory in
addition to current government funding for environment work at Mulwala."

Mr Martin and Mr Beazley said necessary contractual arrangements with ADI will be given
priority by a Labor government.

The federal cabinet last month decided to spend $200 million to upgrade the plant which
supplies the Australian Defence Force with explosives and propellants.

Much of Mulwala's World War Two era machinery is obsolete and the site is heavily
polluted. The government has already committed $63 million for site remediation.

AAP mb/daw

KEYWORD: ADI

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