Paul Papalia: WA’s Defence Industry Minister in military call to arms for ‘undefended’ WA

WA’s Defence Industry Minister says it is essential a sweeping review of the Australian Defence Force recognises the State — rich in mineral resources — has been left “essentially undefended” apart from the presence of the navy.

Paul Papalia warned the capability to defend WA was greater 80 years ago during World War Two than it is now, with the Army disproportionality located in Queensland and the NT and most combat elements of the Air Force on the eastern seaboard.

He also called for major ADF exercises to be conducted in the Pilbara, home to the lucrative iron ore export industry and highly sought-after critical minerals needed for advanced space and defence industries.

“Now is the time for a major rethink about where Australia’s Defence Forces are located. WA is essentially undefended, apart from the Navy,” Mr Papalia said ahead of a meeting in Canberra on Thursday with Federal Defence Minister Richard Marles.

“The Army has no regular combat elements in WA other than the Special Air Service regiment and the Air Force has no warfighting capability in WA.

“WA generates the vast majority of export revenue for the nation, most of it originates from the Pilbara and we have no defence presence there other than a very good, but understrength and under-armed reserve unit.

“The ADF hasn’t even exercised in the Pilbara for decades -- other than the (reserve) Pilbara Regiment -- so it’s essential that that be recognised.”

The former Navy clearance diver said he believed there should be a regular army brigade based in WA, which could comprise as many as 5000 troops, as well as long-range surveillance and fighter aircraft.

He clarified that was only his view, while the pair appointed to lead the force posture review, retired Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston and former Labor defence minister Stephen Smith, must consider the ADF’s main purpose.

“Is it defending Australia? If that’s the case, you’ve got to do something more about WA,” Mr Papalia added.

“Whether it’s a brigade or other combat elements with more capability. If you’re looking at Ukraine, maybe we should have far more heavily armed, small fighting units that are mobile and able to respond to a threat.”

Sir Angus said the “worst” strategic circumstances he had ever seen were the backdrop to the review, which would report to the Federal Government in March 2023.

He noted the “land war in Europe, all sorts of issues in northeast Asia, particularly around Taiwan, east China Sea, issues in southeast Asia and issues up on the Himalayan border and northern India”.

Professor Smith said a “very important” part of the review would be looking at the changed situation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly the impact on the nation’s “northern and western approaches”.

Shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie questioned the appointment of Professor Smith, who he said as minister was responsible for the biggest Defence cuts of the past 70 years. “I’m worried they’re going to gut Defence,” the Canning MP said.