Media Release: office of richard marles (australian deputy prime minister and defence minister)
Independent review into the Woomera
Prohibited Area
16 August 2024
The Albanese Government is undertaking an independent review into the settings of the Woomera Prohibited Area in South Australia, to ensure it remains fit for purpose and meets Australia’s national security requirements.
The Woomera Prohibited Area, north-west of Adelaide, is a critical Defence site used for the testing of advanced and emerging Defence capabilities. It is also a place of national significance for Aboriginal cultural heritage, and home to pastoral and mining operations, while also hosting significant scientific and environmental research, prospecting and tourism.
The Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 (the Rule) underpins the coexistence arrangements that seek to balance the interests of all users in the Woomera Prohibited Area. In accordance with the Legislation Act 2003, this Rule will sunset in October 2026.
The Government has appointed Ms Rebecca Skinner to lead a review into the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule, to ensure the coexistence arrangements meet the contemporary needs of the Australian Defence Force into the future, and serve the requirements of all stakeholders.
Ms Skinner, formerly the Chief Executive Officer of Services Australia and senior executive in the Defence Department, will provide unique strategic insights and expert advice to Government.
The review will involve comprehensive consultation with stakeholders with interests in the Woomera Prohibited Area, as well as close engagement with the Government of South Australia. This will include written submissions.
It is anticipated the review will be handed to Government by mid-2025.
Further details are available here: https://www.defence.gov.au/about/reviews-inquiries/review-woomera-prohibited-area-coexistence-framework
[Separately see Australia investing in sovereign rocket program
of September 16, 2024 at
https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/australia-investing-in-sovereign-rocket-program/ ]
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:
“The National Defence Strategy made clear that in response to our strategic circumstances, we must accelerate capability development and acquisition, including long range strike, and investment in emerging technologies for the ADF.
“In the 10 years since the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule and coexistence framework were first introduced, our strategic environment has shifted dramatically and we must ensure that we can develop, test and evaluate these capabilities in a fit for purpose environment.
“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring these arrangements are in the interests of all users, including local indigenous communities and the economic and cultural opportunities in the region.”
Media contact: dpm.media@defence.gov.au 02 6277 7800
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MEDIA RELEASE: AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DEFENCE [DEPARTMENT]
Review of the Woomera Prohibited Area
Coexistence Framework
The Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 (the Rule) underpins the coexistence arrangements that seek to balance the interests of all users in the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA). The WPA is a critical Defence site used for the testing of advanced and emerging Defence capabilities. It is also a place of national significance for Aboriginal cultural heritage, and home to pastoral and mining operations, while also hosting significant scientific and environmental research, prospecting and tourism.
The 2024 National Defence Strategy made clear that, in response to our deteriorating strategic circumstances, Australia – and in particular Defence – must accelerate capability development and acquisition, including of long range strike, and investment in emerging technologies.
Prior to the Rule sunsetting on 1 October 2026, the Australian Government requested a review be undertaken to ensure the Rule and supporting coexistence arrangements are fit-for-purpose. The scope of the review is set out in the Terms of Reference.
Review of WPA Coexistence Arrangements Terms of Reference (PDF, 540.58 KB) [BELOW]
1. The Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) is a key national asset, critical to the development, test and evaluation of advanced defence capabilities. Its overarching legislative and governing framework includes:
a. Defence Act 1903: authorises use of the WPA for testing of war materiel;
b. WPA Rule 2014: regulates most third-party access to the WPA;
c. Defence Force Regulations 1952: sets out historical access arrangements for traditional owners and native title holders, pastoral lease holders, railway authorities, and a limited number of mining operators; and
d. WPA coexistence governance arrangements (Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth of Australia and South Australian Government and the WPA Advisory Board).
2. The WPA Rule and WPA governance arrangements together form the ‘coexistence framework’. This recognises that while Defence requirements for the testing and evaluation of military systems are given precedence within the WPA, the area is also important for pastoral activity, resource exploration and production, Aboriginal native title and cultural heritage, and other activities such as tourism and scientific research.
Scope
3. The review will assess the current WPA coexistence framework to determine whether it remains
fit for purpose in the current strategic environment. It will consider national security, economic
and cultural perspectives, and make recommendations to balance competing views in the
national interest, including to:
a. inform remaking of the WPA Rule before it sunsets on 1 October 2026; and
b. update coexistence governance arrangements.
4. In making these recommendations, the review should acknowledge the precedence of Defence’s
use to advance strategic priorities and capability development to protect our national security,
and opportunities to minimise regulatory burden and costs for third-party users.
Key tasks
5. The review should make qualitative and quantitative assessments of the balance of national
interests over the short and medium (10-year) term, including but not limited to:
a. the WPA’s contribution to current and future Defence capability, including the financial and
other benefits deriving from Australia’s ability to share knowledge and technology with
allies, particularly in light of new and emerging technologies, and the subsequent value of
the WPA to the US Alliance and other key international relationships; [AUKUS PILLARS 1 AND 2?]
b. anticipated future Defence needs in the WPA, in particular any potential changes in
frequency and scope of activity;
c. current and future potential economic value of mineral deposits and other economic
activities in the WPA, including potential impacts on employment and government revenues,
and use of emerging technologies;
d. the extent to which mining and economic activity is compatible with Defence use of the
WPA, and any inherent limits to future coexistence, including issues posed by foreign
ownership or control; and
e. appropriate coexistence governance arrangements, including the ongoing role of the WPA
Advisory Board, and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth of
Australia and South Australian Government.
6. The review should consider lessons learnt from the 2010-11 and 2018 WPA reviews, including
implementation of their recommendations.
Timeframe
7. The review should be finalised by the end of Q1 2025, with a final date to be negotiated with the review lead. Interim findings related to re-making the Rule should be provided by December 2024.]
Consultation
The review is seeking to engage with all WPA stakeholders to understand how the existing rule and coexistence framework serves their interests, and to ensure these views are heard and considered through the review process.
The review will be conducted with the support of Defence. It will include a comprehensive program of consultation with stakeholder groups with interests in the WPA; and close engagement with the Government of South Australia.
Submissions
Submissions to the review are invited from all WPA stakeholders and those with an interest in the WPA coexistence framework. Submissions may address one or more of the following themes:
- Access: What impact do existing access zones and exclusion periods have on your activities in the WPA? How do current access arrangements enable your interests? What improvements, if any, would you recommend to the existing access arrangements? What changes could be made to enhance outcomes for all stakeholders?
- Management: What impact do the existing management processes and practices have on your activities in the WPA? Which parts of the current management framework work well? How could management processes and/or practices be streamlined or updated to reduce red tape?
- Communication: How are you informed about activities within the WPA? Are there opportunities for changes, upgrades or improvements? As a stakeholder, how do you engage with other users of the WPA? What changes, if any, would you recommend to the current engagement mechanisms?
- Governance: What role should existing bodies (WPA Advisory Board, Commonwealth Government, etc) play in implementing the coexistence framework? What other mechanisms would be useful to inform the operation of the WPA coexistence framework? Submissions
Submissions are due by 5 pm (AEST) Friday 6 September 2024 via:
Email: woomera.review@defence.gov.au
[Probably Too Late for Snail Mail]
Collection of personal information
Defence will collect personal information as part of this submission processes, including the contact details of submitters (such as name and email). Any personal information provided in submissions received will be only used for:
- contacting the submitter for clarification of details
- confirming submitter consent to the publication of information
- seeking submitter feedback on the consultation process.
Defence will not use or disclose personal information without consent, unless authorised or required by law. For further information on how Defence will manage personal information, read the Defence Privacy Policy.
Making submissions public
Submissions may be made public at the discretion of Defence, unless the submitter requested otherwise. Defence may not make submissions public for reasons associated with fairness and relevance. Submissions that are made public may also include redactions as Defence considers appropriate.
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 provides individuals with a legal right to request access to documents held by Government agencies. This includes submissions provided in response to this consultation process.
Contacts: woomera.review@defence.gov.au
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