Naval shipbuilding industry: Western Australia secure continuous industry creating new job opportunities
Jake DietschThe West Australian
Thu, 23 November 2023 2:04PM
Major General Richard Vagg speaks to media after WA secures continuous shipbuilding industry. Credit: Jake Dietsch
Western Australia will have a continuous naval shipbuilding industry, potentially creating 800 jobs and avoiding the boom and bust cycle that currently plagues the sector.
Federal Government Defence Industries Minister Pat Conroy announced Thursday the Government had entered a partnership with the Defence Force and Austal Limited, who are based at Henderson.
Mr Conroy said the “seismic” move meant WA would have a continuous pipeline of shipbuilding work, as recommended by the Defence Strategic Review.
“That work is (currently) lumpy. That work leads to a boom and bust cycle that doesn’t allow companies to make investment or give their workforce the certainty they need,” he said.
Austal, Australia’s global shipbuilder, will construct the Army’s Landing Craft Medium and Heavy vessels, with 18 medium vessels designed by Birdon Group to be built at Henderson.
The Landing Craft Heavy capability will also be built at Henderson through the strategic partnership, subject to the success of the medium vessel delivery.
“This will guarantee the future of up to 1200 jobs and deliver billions of dollars of investment into the hands and maritime industry,” Mr Conroy said.
The minister said the landing craft medium vessels, weighing some 500 tonnes that can carry a tank or infantry fighting vehicles, would be delivered from 2026.
The heavy vessels weigh between 3000 and 5000 tonnes can transport 11 fighting vehicles.
The first step in the partnership will see Austal acquire two new Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boats at a cost of $157.1 million.
Mr Conroy said these two vessels would secure the 400 existing shipbuilding jobs and the medium and heavy projects would deliver up to 800 extra jobs.
Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said the jobs would range from electricians to cabinet fitters and engineers, as well as associated jobs in the supply chain.
Major General Richard Vagg said the landing crafts would deliver “world class capability” in the quickest and most efficient timeframe.
Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said the jobs would range from electricians to cabinet fitters and engineers, as well as associated jobs in the supply chain. Credit: Austal
“These ships will be used throughout the entire operational spectrum. Everything from competition and cooperation with our regional partners right through to humanitarian and disaster relief operations,” MG Vagg said.
WA Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia said the Cook Government had fought for seven years to secure a continuous shipbuilding industry and four Liberal Defence Ministers, including Peter Dutton, had “failed” when they were in office.
“Continuous shipbuilding is a massive win for Western Australia. The landing craft projects are worth billions and continuous shipbuilding is absolutely priceless,” Mr Papalia said.
WA Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia said the Cook Government had fought for seven years to secure a continuous shipbuilding industry. Credit: Danella Bevis/The West Australian
“This announcement means that a young kid sitting in a school today in WA can look at the shipbuilding industry and consider that they can have an entire career in this one sector if they so desire.”
The Morrison Government in its dying days promised a dry dock at Henderson but allocated no money towards it in the budget.
Mr Conroy could not say if the dry dock would proceed at Henderson and said the decision was being informed by the requirements of Submarine Rotational Force West, the force of UK and US nuclear powered submarines.
“We’re working out what the needs are around the nuclear powered submarines and that will inform the requirements for the drydock,” he said.
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