Article by Taylah Fellows, Rachel Riley, Jami Roberts, courtesy of the Mercury.
Australia’s richest woman has unveiled a sensational plan to use resources revenue to fund military upgrades including an “Israeli” missile deflection dome and compulsory military training.
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart launched her six-point defence strategy at the National Bush Summit in Townsville on Friday.
“You may ask, how are we going to pay for this? Simple, we should cut government wastage, and there’s a lot of that, and we should drill, baby, drill and dig, baby, dig,” she said.
During a lengthy video address she outlined her plan to counteract what she labelled the government’s lack of preparedness towards our country’s defence.
“If we don’t have a country, what future do we have?” she said.
The first two points were to ensure Australia’s sea lanes and ports remain open and the need to order “many, many” war drones. “If we don’t keep our sea lanes and ports open, how are we to continue trade and receive revenue? How are we to get our fuel? How are we to get defence supplies and equipment from our allies? How can AUKUS even function?,” Mrs Rinehart said.
The executive chairwoman of Hancock Prospecting said that a defence system similar to that of the “Israeli dome, with its four layers of defence missiles” should be installed on islands around export hubs.
“Set up some of the best defences currently available across at least our major ports and major airports in the north, northwest and northeast,” Mrs Rinehart said.
In her fourth step, Mrs Rinehart said a $4.5bn ship maintenance facility in the north would mean navy vessels wouldn’t have to waste weeks to travel for maintenance.”
