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

SENATOR FOR VICTORIA

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE



17 September 2015


TOPIC: SUBMARINES
Today saw the outrageous spectacle of the Turnbull Liberal Government and the Australian Greens teaming up in the Senate to vote down a motion to build 12 future submarines in South Australia.
The Turnbull Liberals openly broke their election commitment to build 12 submarines in South Australia.
This is despite both the 2009 and 2013 Defence White Papers outlining a requirement for 12 submarines to meet Australia’s defence and national security requirements.
Under this Government, over 1,000 workers have lost their jobs at shipyards around the country, including over 200 in South Australia.
Thousands more jobs remain at risk as result of today’s dirty deal between the Turnbull Government and the Greens.
Submarine experts have testified before a Senate Committee that an Australian submarine build is more cost competitive over the lifecycle of project.
“if we truly analyse all aspects of the project we will have a lower cost to the government from an all-build in Australia”
Dr John White 22 July 2015
Experts have also testified that building less than 12 submarines would rule out a continuous build program in Australia for the future submarines.
“with numbers fewer than 12 it becomes very challenging to put in place the continuous production mode”
Sean Costello 22 July 2015
Today the Turnbull Government, in partnership with the Greens, undermined Australia’s defence and national security interests and put at risk the livelihoods of highly skilled workers in South Australia.
Labor had a plan in 2013 that would have maintained industry capacity, created jobs and maximised value for Defence acquisitions.
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.
It is time for the Turnbull Government to join with Labor and keep the Coalition’s promise to build 12 submarines in South Australia.