Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Senator Wong. The president of RSL Tasmania, John Hardy, has described the Albanese government's announcement of a Tasmanian Defence asset fire sale as 'a catastrophic strategic error that will stand as the largest withdrawal of defence presence from any Australian state since Federation'. He went on to say:

Such a withdrawal fundamentally alters Tasmania's role in Australia's Defence posture and sends a clear signal that Tasmania is no longer regarded as a State of Defence significance.

Minister, do you agree with Mr Hardy's assessment?