announcements, page-4

I see in Adelaide Advertiser today that Defence Minister Brendan Nelson yesterday signed the final contracts for three air warfare destroyers. "Australian induistry will play a pivotal role in the success of the AWD project by providing specialised skills and equipment to the AWD alliance' he said. Alexander Downer stated that the Government had not yet decided whether defence funding would be spent on the building of another ship. The construction of a fourth ship would extend the duration of the project by about three years and would guarantee future long-term jobs for SA.