Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For nearly three decades, Training Ship Argonaut at St Helens has stood as a cornerstone of its community and a proven pathway into service. Within its walls, more than 300 naval cadets have been steeped in Navy tradition, discipline and leadership while developing the practical skills needed to pursue enlistment in the Royal Australian Navy. It is a proud legacy built on commitment, service and community support. Yet with the stroke of a pen, a baffling decision has been made to end the lease of this purpose-built facility and divest the site entirely, placing the future of TS Argonaut and its cadets in serious doubt. TS Argonaut is just one of 15 Defence sites across Tasmania slated for full divestment or lease termination under the Albanese government's Defence estate audit. Collectively, these decisions would hollow out Tasmania's defence capability. TS Argonaut stands as a clear and poignant example of why this course of action is reckless and demands urgent reconsideration. This decision defies logic and ignores the reality on the ground.

St Helens is more than two hours from Launceston, the nearest major centre, where cadets were told they could relocate to a proposed triservice facility that does not yet exist. Asking young people, their families and dedicated volunteers to rely on an unbuilt and unestablished alternative is neither reasonable nor responsible. The other suggestion—that cadets simply lease a school hall or community space—beggars belief. TS Argonaut is not a generic meeting group; it is a purpose-built naval cadet facility funded by the Department of Defence on land owned by the Break O'Day Council. The facility includes a large galley, necessary for Navy training, and provides secure storage for naval boats. These are specialist assets that cannot be easily or cheaply replicated elsewhere.

The facility has also served as a regional training hub for other cadet units because of its location, space and infrastructure. It includes bunks and amenities suitable for cadet training camps—activities that bring not only cadets but their families into the region. These visits support local accommodation providers, retailers and businesses, injecting valuable funds into the local economy. Removing TS Argonaut from its home would undermine decades of investment and community goodwill. More than that, it would place unnecessary barriers in front of young people in regional Tasmania who wish to serve their country. This decision must be reconsidered.

The loss of TS Argonaut would affect far more than cadets alone; it would also strike at the heart of the Break O'Day community itself. During recent bushfires, TS Argonaut opened its doors and was staffed around the clock by cadets to support elderly residents displaced by the fires. They provided hot meals from their industrial galley, a safe place to stay and fellowship and care for some of the most vulnerable members of their community. That is service in its truest form.

Tasmania has a proud military history, and yet we are disproportionately vulnerable to the divestment decisions being pursued by this government. Beyond the impact on cadets, Defence has also recommended full divestment of the Stony Head and Buckland military training areas, both of which are currently used for live-fire training. Serious questions remain about the rationale behind these decisions. The Albanese Labor government claims it is delivering record defence spending, but what message does it send when the Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, and the Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil, announce cuts that strip away critical defence infrastructure? What message does it send to young cadets seeking to enlist when the government will not even guarantee them a permanent home?

The next generation of soldiers, naval officers and Air Force pilots will come from the cadet ranks. Forcing these young Australians to choose from between unsuitable school halls and facilities that are geographically out of reach will only discourage participation and erode confidence in the cadet system. Cadet units are far more than four walls; they are community hubs that instil leadership, resilience, discipline and practical skills. Former and serving cadets are widely recognised as valued employees and responsible citizens, people who give back to their communities.

Decisions like this should not be made by Canberra based bureaucrats or politicians who have never set foot on the ground at places like TS Argonaut or the many other outstanding cadet and Defence facilities across Tasmania. I challenge the Labor members for Bass and Lyons, Jess Teesdale and Rebecca White, to stand up for their communities, to advocate on their behalf and to ensure that vital cadet facilities, especially in remote and regional areas, are not lost. Our cadets and our entire Defence Force deserve far greater respect than this.