Minister puts spotlight on Austal

Western Australia’s role in the next decade of naval shipbuilding was cast into the public eye last week as the newly appointed Federal Minister for Defence Industry inspected facilities in Henderson.

Christopher Pyne visited Austal on Tuesday and reassured the region’s shipbuilders they would have a prominent role to play in delivering and maintaining vessels detailed in the Defence White Paper.

WA industry is concerned the appointment of the South Australian to oversee naval programs worth around $90 billion could mean Adelaide will be handed most of the available work.

However, as in previous Government statements, Mr Pyne said WA would be charged with building “non-combatant” vessels such as patrol boats and main-taining the next fleet of submarines.

“Western Australia has tremendous skills and innovation to contribute to our shipbuilding and submarine programs, and as the home for a large proportion of the maritime capability to defend our nation over the next half-century” he said.

“Over the next decade to 2025-26, around $2.4 billion will be spent in upgrading defence facilities in Western Australia — about 9.3 per cent of the total defence facilities investment for the decade.”

Austal chief executive David Singleton said the Australian Marine Complex-based company could play an important role.

“We are immensely proud to showcase our local shipbuilding and sustainment capabilities to the minister,” he said. “As Australia’s only global prime defence contractor, Austal supports and is looking forward to participating in the Australian Government’s shipbuilding plan.”

However, Labor’s shadow minister for defence issues Paul Papalia said the WA Government had not campaigned ardently enough to win more work for the region’s naval businesses.

“Western Australia has not got anywhere near a fair share of tens of billions of dollars of naval shipbuilding contracts,” he said.

“It is time that WA Liberal party members argued the case for WA — the lion’s share is going to South Australia.” WA Commerce Min-ister Michael Mischin said the facilities in Henderson were well placed to deliver future naval work for the Australian Government.

“Royal Australian Navy vess-els, including the Collins Class submarines and Anzac frig-ates, have been success-fully repaired and maintained in this State for many years,” he said.

“I believe WA has the experience and established infrastructure to take part in the new naval program.”