MINISTER for Defence Industry Pat Conroy has the gall to describe the Albanese government's $850 million spend on a missile manufacturing facility at Newcastle Airport as "great" ("$850m to secure Hunter's future as Defence powerhouse", Opinion, 22/8). Great for whom, Mr Conroy? As a proud resident of this region, I am frankly ashamed that we will soon be exporting death and destruction to the world under the guise of economic progress and defence capability.
Labor's "Future Made in Australia" vision appears to be transforming the Hunter from a region that once manufactured trains, boats, and other meaningful products, into a hub for weapons production. Is this really the best future we can envision for our community? Instead of exporting coal, Labor now wants us to export missiles - trading one harmful industry for another.
