The Andrews Labor Government welcomes the announcement by the Abbott Government that it will seek tenders from suitable companies to oversee the remainder of the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) project.
This latest move by the Commonwealth represents a great opportunity for the Victorian shipbuilding industry, through BAE Systems, to make a greater contribution to defence manufacturing.
BAE is ideally placed to take a leadership role in fixing the AWD project and manage a fair reallocation of work from the Adelaide shipyard to Williamstown – which has the proven capacity and capability to build surface warships.
The Victorian shipbuilding industry has already played a pivotal role in the construction of the first AWD, Hobart, which was launched in South Australia today. Around 30 per cent of the Hobart was built in Victoria utilising expertise and components from Victorian supply chain businesses.
Hobart is the first of three highly capable warships, able to reach a top speed of more than 28 knots (52kph) and accommodate 236 crew.
The Labor Government will work closely with Victoria’s defence businesses to bid for the AWD oversight project, maximising opportunities for Victorian companies.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry, Lily D’Ambrosio
“We welcome the Commonwealth’s announcement that Victorian businesses can compete fairly to oversee the Air Warfare Destroyer project.”
“We urge the Abbott Government to expedite consideration of the tender process as a way of guaranteeing work for at the Williamstown shipyard and securing Australia’s shipbuilding capability.”
“The Victorian Government is proud of the role Victorian industry has played in the development of Australian Navy’s first Warfare Destroyer, Hobart.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020