Visit of US Independence Battle Group

28/5/93

The visit of the Independence Battle Group which arrives in Fremantle Port this morning will provide a huge boost to the Western Australian economy.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton welcomed the visit by more than 6,000 sailors and said that in a 12-month period visiting American naval vessels boosted the WA economy by an estimated $60 million.

The arrival would take the number of US Navy vessels which have visited the port this financial year to 15.

Seventeen thousand sailors have been in port during these visits.

Mr Charlton said the multiplier effect of US Navy visits on WA businesses stimulated significant economic activity in the Fremantle region and metropolitan area generally.

"The impact is quite significant - estimates show that the US Navy spends about $60 million a year during their visits to WA," he said.

"Included in these figures are tourism dollars such as hotel accommodation and restaurants, orders for provisions and fees for other professional services."

Mr Charlton said these estimates were provided by the US Navy representative in Perth.

The Independence Battle Group consists of the USS Independence, USS Mobile Bay, USS San Jose and the USNS Andrew J Higgins.

The group is in port with the Australian Navy vessels HMAS Hobart, HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Swan and HMAS Stirling and all ships have been participating in a combined exercise called 'Spring Training 93' off the WA coast.

Media contact: Dean Roberts 222 9595 : 321 7333