Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area Commemorative Ceremony

In keeping with the customs of the Australian people, I would like to first acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the Darumbal people, and convey my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. I also extend that respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here today. Thank you Darumbal Elders, Uncle Wade Mann and Aunty Nicky Hatfield, for being present here today.

Federal, State and Local Government Representatives, 

High Commissioners of Singapore and Australia,

Senior officials from both defence establishments, 

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning everyone.

INTRODUCTION

I am delighted to be here today to commemorate the completion of the expansion and development of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), jointly undertaken by Singapore and Australia.

Eight years ago, we embarked on this ambitious and unique project under the auspices of the Treaty on Military Training and Training Area Development in Australia, which was in turn a signature element of the 2015 Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

PROFESSIONAL VALUE OF SWBTA AND GOOD PROGRESS OF BILATERAL DEFENCE RELATIONSHIP

The successful completion of this project is a strong symbol of the close and longstanding defence partnership between both countries. With the global disruptions caused by an unforeseen global pandemic, we saw delays across many construction projects around the world. Yet, the SWBTA project team, co-led by the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative Project Office from Australia and the Australia Training Area Development Office from Singapore, managed against all odds, to complete all works on schedule, overcoming challenges posed by border closures and supply chain disruptions. This amazing feat is testament to the resilience and dedication of everyone involved in this project to bring this project to fruition. Please allow me to express Singapore’s deepest appreciation for the hard work, commitment and the teamwork of all involved in this project, many of whom are here today. Thank you very much.

The SAF’s training presence at the SWBTA is long-standing and invaluable to land-scarce Singapore. The expanded SWBTA is five times the size of Singapore. It is a high-quality training area that uniquely enables both the SAF and ADF to hone our respective operational capabilities and readiness. The project also includes the establishment of state-of-the-art facilities such as the Combined Arms Air-Land Ranges and Urban Operations Live-Firing Facilities, which will allow for the conduct of training necessary to generate warfighting capabilities fit for the future battlefield. Both our armed forces will benefit greatly from these facilities now and in the years to come.

The SAF and the ADF share a long history of cooperation and exchanges. The completion of this expanded SWBTA is yet another historic milestone for both defence establishments. It is a tangible symbol of the abiding trust between us, and elevates the bilateral defence relationship as we look forward to commemorating the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations next year.

APPRECIATION TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY FOR THEIR LONGSTANDING SUPPORT OF SAF’S TRAINING IN AUSTRALIA

This significant achievement would not have been possible without the strong support of the surrounding communities. I would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of you for welcoming the SAF into the Rockhampton and Livingstone Shire community, and extending your hospitality to our personnel – not just for this project, but for the SAF’s training over the last 34 years since we mounted our first Exercise Wallaby in 1990 and we hope to continue to be good guests and good mates for years to come.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I would like to once again extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all who have contributed to the success of this project. Let us continue forging ahead with the same spirit of cooperation and commitment to excellence that has brought us here together today.

Thank you.

Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How Commemorates the Completion of the Expanded Shoalwater Bay Training Area and Visits Exercise Trident in Australia