SENATOR THE HON STEPHEN CONROY
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
SENATOR KIM CARR
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND INDUSTRY
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
DAVID FEENEY MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
MEMBER FOR BATMAN
ABBOTT VISITS PERTH TO REANNOUNCE FRIGATES & CORVETTES TO BE BUILT IN ADELAIDE
Tony Abbott today visited Perth to reannounce billions of dollars of hollow promises for South Australia.
During his visit today to the Austal shipyard the Prime Minister came armed with empty rhetoric, but no new work for Western Australians.
Having already promised the Offshore Patrol Vessels to South Australia, and that they might then go to Victoria, Mr Abbott has now tried to suggest they might be partially built in Western Australia.
The Prime Minister can’t have it every which way – he cannot promise the people of Adelaide, Melbourne and now Canning that they can all have the same project.
Just like their counterparts in other states, Western Australians are learning that Mr Abbott cannot be trusted when it comes to shipbuilding in Australia.
But Mr Abbott’s web of lies is unravelling before Australia’s eyes.
Asked directly whether Western Australia would be given the contract for the Offshore Patrol Vessels (which are also known as Corvettes), Mr Abbott was caught out.
“Certainly the corvette build is likely to start in Adelaide.”Tony Abbott, 21 August 2015
Put simply, Mr Abbott has nothing to offer Western Australians except empty rhetoric.
On Tony Abbott’s watch, over 1000 jobs have been lost from Australia’s strategically vital shipbuilding industry – and thousands more jobs are at risk.
At 6.4 per cent, Western Australia’s unemployment rate is now higher than the national level.
It didn’t need to be this way – between Future Submarines, Future Frigates, Supply Ships, Pacific Patrol Boats and Offshore Patrol Vessels, there is enough work for shipyards around the country.
Western Australians have learned today that the only job that Tony Abbott is interested in saving is his own and that he is willing to do or say whatever it takes.
Only Labor can be trusted to ensure Australia’s strategically vital naval shipbuilding capability has a viable, long-term future.
Only Labor will build Australia’s Future Submarines, Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels in Australia and ensure that Western Australia is given a fair go to compete for these projects.