Oakey to continue as Singapore base?
A REPORT granting approval for Singapore to continue using Australia's Army Aviation Centre at Oakey has been tabled in the Federal Parliament.
The House of Representatives Treaties Committee signed off on an existing agreement that allows a Republic of Singapore Air Force helicopter squadron to use the facility.
Committee chair Kelvin Thomson said not only were there "direct economic benefits" for the local economy from the agreement, it was also in the national interest.
"Australia benefits from this arrangement as strengthening the RSAF's capability makes Singapore a more effective coalition partner and contributor to regional security," the Labor MP said.
"Given the lack of its own domestic training areas, Singapore greatly values its access to the AAC, and this agreement is a major element of our contribution to the bilateral defence relationship. Access is vital to the RSAF as it enables them to develop and maintain their military capability."
Mr Thomson said Singapore had been a "model tenant" since the arrangement was struck in 1997.
