SHIPBUILDING UNIONS WELCOME SIGNS DEFENCE WILL KEEP SUBMARINE
MAINTENANCE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The Australian Shipbuilding Federation of Unions (ASFU) welcomed news reported in
today’s Australian Financial Review that Defence is feeling pressured to keep the full
cycle docking of the Collins Class submarines in South Australia.
The ASFU SA has been campaigning to retain the sustainment work, holding rallies
outside the Liberal State Conference and on site at ASC in recent weeks.
“The cracks in the Government’s proposal to move this work are already appearing,
and we’ll keep applying the pressure until they commit to keep this work in South
Australia”, said Peter Bauer, State Convener of the ASFU.
Today’s article reported that ASC will recommend to the Government that the full
cycle docking should be done in South Australia.
“This is great news for South Australian workers and the South Australian economy”,
Mr Bauer said.
“It’s difficult to see how it would be in the national interest to move full cycle
docking from Osborne. The Osborne based engineers, technical professionals and
tradespeople are the custodians of a generation of expertise in maintaining the
Collins Class submarine.
“A move west would come at a significant cost for relocation, result in a doubling of
the time required to perform maintenance and result in reduced capability for the
Navy, not to mention put the majority of the 700 strong Osborne workforce out of
work.
“Keeping the full cycle docking in South Australia will ensure that Australia has the
sovereign capability to sustain the Collins Class submarines and the skilled workers
to build the Attack Class submarines”, Mr Bauer said.
“We welcome Senator Patrick’s advocacy on this issue and we hope to work closely
with him to secure a good outcome for South Australian workers”, said Mr Bauer.
