Infrastructure: Peter Lindsay - Giving something back

1 September 2007

By John Henry

In 1965 Peter Lindsay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence was one in a group of four students who purpose built a sending station equipped with a 500,000 Watt transmitter with only one goal in mind…to bounce a radio signal off the moon.

Now 42 years on, it could certainly be argued that he is living up to those childhood aspirations of achievement.

In his current role he is one of the most influential people in the defence industry and is passionate about, “Making a contribution that will make a genuine difference to the defence force and its personnel, by influencing policy that will be beneficial to both, not only in their service conditions, but also in their capability that is provided to them.”

A Townsville city councillor for 11 years until elected to parliament in 1996, Peter Lindsay ran an electronics services business for 25 years after working as a broadcast engineer and production manager at the local television station.

Lindsay says he didn't know anybody in the Liberal Party when he joined in 1977, and had just walked into the local branch office after being drawn to the Liberal philosophy.

After a series of branch positions he became vice-president of the Queensland division in the early eighties.

Lindsay has had a close affiliation with the Australian Defence Force for over a decade during his time as the Member for Herbert.

The city of Townsville is fondly known by the locals as the “garrison city” as it includes Lavarack Barracks, the biggest Army base in Australia, and also a significant RAAF Base.

Now as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Lindsay believes he has “An opportunity to give back to the defence force some of the help and assistance that they gave me over the years.”

Infrastructure
In his current role Lindsay has travelled widely to defence infrastructure locations and says, “I think infrastructure on the bases is the next major area where the Government and Defence should concentrate, and extensive upgrades are in process. For example the LEAP projects represent world class state of the art solider accommodation.”

Looking forward, Lindsay says both infrastructure and capability will benefit from, “An increased commitment in real terms in the defence budget through until 2016 at this stage. At present, no other port folio has that certainty. In fact it is very unusual at any level of Government to make such a commitment for such a long period.”

Single LEAP accommodation for ADF singles
Phase 2 of the Single Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct (Single LEAP) project will deliver whole-of-life services for updated singles accommodation in the Australian Defence Force.

Defence will engage a strategic partner under Public Private Partnership arrangements to provide 3,535 rooms at 17 key Defence bases in every State and Territory of Australia except Tasmania.

The new accommodation will be designed for the independent lifestyles expected by young single people in the Australian Defence Force. It will feature self-contained apartments with telephone and internet access, secure storage for personal possessions and undercover parking for motor vehicles.

This initiative follows on from the success of Phase 1 Single LEAP, a Public Private Partnership project announced by the Government in October 2006, which will provide 1,395 permanent living-in accommodation rooms at Holsworthy, RAAF Base Amberley and Enoggera.

Better singles living-in accommodation facilities and services are among measures taken by the Government to boost morale, recruitment and retention of Australian Defence Force personnel in all three Services, the Navy, Army and Air Force.

The sites include Central Sydney (650 rooms); Lavarack Barracks, Townsville (540 rooms); and Robertson Barracks, Darwin (686 rooms).

Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Stage 4 redevelopment
The Lavarack Barracks Redevelopment Stage 4 works, in Townsville, is a massive redevelopment. The proposed facilities, which are budgeted at $207.2 million, will support working accommodation for three regiments.
The project will provide the following units with modern working accommodation:

Construction is planned to commence in late 2007 and be completed by early 2011. An announcement concerning a successful strategic partner is expected to be made in November.

Lindsay says, “In these environments, generally around four proposals will be short listed, we will make a request for tender to all of these parties, and then chose who the strategic partner will be.”

Defence Housing
New estate in McDowall, Brisbane
On 26 June 2007 Lindsay opened a new estate in McDowall, Brisbane, named in honour of Brisbane local, Grace Margaret Wilson who served in the Australian Nursing Service in both WWI and II.

Grace Wilson Estate is only 5km from Enoggera Army Base, where approximately 4750 Australian Defence Force (ADF) members are stationed, and 12km from the Brisbane city area.

The estate comprises 50 DHA homes – built at a cost of $17.5 million. The homes have four bedrooms and feature double garaging, en-suites, living areas and covered outdoor entertainment areas.

Community centre in Lyons, Darwin
In 12 July 2006 Lindsay opened a new Neighbourhood Centre in the community of Lyons, Darwin, which will become the community hub to residents when 700 new residential allotments are completed.

Construction has already started on the new allotments, with the first residents to arrive in Lyons in the coming months. The Lyons development is a joint venture between Defence Housing Australia (DHA) and Canberra Investment Corporation (CIC).

Profile - Peter Lindsay
1977 Joins local branch of Liberal Party
Later becomes vice president of Queensland division

1985 Is first Liberal councillor ever to represent QLD Division Nine
Remains a Townsville city councillor for 11 years

1996 Elected to federal Parliament winning seat of Herbert
Later is elected as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives
Serves as Chairman of the Backbench Policy Committee on Family and Community Services

Member on Defence and Veterans’ Affairs, Education Science and Training, Health and Aging, Industry and Resources and Transport Regional Services Territories and Local Government Backbench policy Committees

Member of the Standing Committees on Environment and Heritage, Science and Innovation, Member's Interests, Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings, Public Works, and Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade

Member Professional Officers Information Technology Advisory Group and Parliamentary Christian Fellowship

Peter is also Member of a number of Parliamentary Friendship Groups including New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and the USA