Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Friday I had the great honour to open our newest defence capability in my electorate of Spence. Life Support International Australia has commenced its service and maintenance function on the UNI-PAC III search-and-rescue kit, which is deployed from our P-8 Poseidons based out of the RAAF Base Edinburgh. This kit is relied on when we have search-and-rescue events across our neighbouring seas.

As someone who spent 10 years in the offshore gas and oil sector, being able to be part of the grand opening and have an inherent link to a life-saving device such as the UNI-PAC III was a really special occasion for me. When things go wrong and you're hundreds of nautical miles offshore, you don't have the luxury of being able to step back onto land, to safety. You really do rely on these life-saving appliances being deployed in a time of need.

To the men and women that will be part of this maintenance facility, all power to you and the work that you do. You will save lives. To Greg Yerkes, the CEO of LSI, and to BiORG's Doug Phillips, thank you so much for the opportunity to be there at your grand opening. It's just another feather in the cap for defence industry in South Australia, building on the great work that has been going on for many, many years.