SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT
LABOR SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
SENATOR THE HON STEPHEN CONROY
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
LABOR SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
THE HON DAVID FEENEY MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC
SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE
MEMBER FOR BATMAN
AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE SUBMARINE PROJECT REACHES CRISIS POINT
Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane has plunged Australia’s Future Submarine Project into chaos.
Minister Macfarlane has finally admitted that, under the Abbott Government, South Australia “may not build the first few” submarines.
The Coalition made an election promise to build 12 submarines in South Australia.
Since the election Tony Abbott has broken this promise and crab-walked away from his commitment to South Australians.
In February, the Prime Minister announced a sham process to save his own job and deliver his ‘Captain’s Pick’ on Japanese submarines.
The Government has also confessed that its farcical Competitive Evaluation Process is not designed to deliver any construction jobs in Australia.
In answer to Question on Notice 40 from Defence Estimates in February, the Government admitted that of the 500 jobs they claim will be delivered, none of these will be in submarine construction.
Now it is only offering South Australia the consolation prize of sustainment and maintenance.
In recent days we have seen the Government hide behind a phantom audit designed to denigrate Australia’s shipbuilding industry.
The Government’s chaos and dishonesty on submarines and shipbuilding is hurting jobs, hurting the economy, and creating uncertainty for our defence force.
Instead of delivering 12 submarines in Adelaide, this Government has delivered the loss of 450 jobs at Forgacs in Newcastle, 120 jobs at ASC in Adelaide, and hundreds of jobs at BAE in Williamstown.
Thousands more are at risk.
Labor is committed to building, maintaining and sustaining Australia’s future submarines in Australia.
Only Labor has a credible plan to build the submarines Australia needs to protect our national strategic interests.