“Yes, the announcement of contracts and jobs is welcome, but the fact that Mr Pyne did not set aside time for residents caught up in the contamination scandal is insulting,” Ms Swanson said.

Mr Pyne is at Williamtown to announce details of about $300 million in RAAF contracts to BAE Systems Australia and Raytheon.

Raytheon is working with an East Maitland firm, Milskil, on its contracts, to train pilots in simulators.

Mr Pyne’s office initially made no mention of the RAAF base contamination issue, saying that it was not in his portfolio as Defence Industry Minister.

Ms Swanson said it was “a disgusting act of buck passing to say it is up to Marise Payne and Sussan Ley to sort it out”.

“Has he no compassion? No common sense? Surely he cannot be ignorant of the desperation of people whose properties are worthless and whose health is under a cloud?

“The Turnbull Government is embarking on the biggest Defence spend in Australia’s history, and the Newcastle community will benefit hugely, he says. This just adds insult to injury.

“Defence marches on, spending money hand over fist, while the community is left to languish.”

Ms Swanson said the RAAF base was still leeching toxic chemicals and the government was dragging its heels on containment, remediation, blood testing of affected residents, and buybacks of land.

 “If Christopher Pyne is not willing to talk to residents, he should insist Marise Payne does so as a matter of urgency,” Ms Swanson said.

Mr Pyne is expected to give a media conference late on Wednesday morning.