The Australian defence industry has suffered another significant loss of capability as 110 workers lost their jobs at ASC. The defence industry is calling on the Federal Government to commit to building Australia’s future fleets in Australia to ensure the Australian Navy receives the capabilities it urgently needs in the most cost effective way.
Chris Burns, national spokesperson for the Australian Made Defence campaign said this will maximise taxpayers’ dollars while ensuring we retain the shipbuilding industry that assures Australia’s national security and sovereignty.
“The Defence White Paper released last week, while positive in rhetoric, does not commit to building Australia’s future fleets in Australia,” said Mr Burns.
“The Government is clearly moving away from the one-off project approach to defence acquisition – which is great for industry. But we still need concrete commitment to a national shipbuilding strategy.
“A continuous strategy needs to cover naval and civilian government vessels to truly build the indigenous capabilities that will promote innovation – and eventually – make Australia globally competitive.
“We know Future Frigates will be built in Adelaide, that is great news – but when it comes to Pacific Patrol Boats, Offshore Patrol Vessels and submarines there is still a great deal of uncertainty.
“As the Government’s own RAND report recommends, the success and competitiveness of the Future Frigate project relies heavily on our shipyards maintaining the workforce and skills that we already have.
“The White Paper made no commitments to promoting productivity and cost effectiveness between projects by consolidating Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels in the same location to bring cost savings to the taxpayer, as well as save jobs.
“If the workforce dissipates, it will cost Australian taxpayers millions of dollars to rebuild it – putting the cost and timeline of the project at risk.
“There is an opportunity for the Federal Government to mitigate these risks – and further job losses – by bringing projects like the Pacific Patrol Boats, Offshore Patrol Vessels and Future Frigates forward so existing workers from the Air Warfare Destroyer project can flow onto these projects.
“The White Paper also made certain commitments about working towards a shipbuilding strategy for surface ships. It was unclear what the Government’s position on a continuous build strategy for submarines is.
“A ‘rolling acquisition program’ – as outlined in the White Paper – leaves the door wide open for a hybrid or overseas build.
“The Government should commit to a continuous build of future submarines in Australia from day one of the project. An offshore or hybrid build will significantly compromise our national security and sovereignty,” said Mr Burns.
