The jobs of Williamstown’s 1000 ship- builders could be saved with an “easy fix”, Labor’s Gellibrand MP Tim Watts told Federal Parliament on Monday.
As reported by Star Weekly, the state government has joined the federal opposition in urging the federal government to ensure ongoing work for Williamstown shipyard BAE Systems in the wake of this month’s announcement that two new navy supply vessels will be built offshore.
Mr Watts said the navy would require 48 new vessels in the next decade, meaning shipbuilding ought to be a growth industry.
“Of particular importance in this respect is the pressing need for Australia to replace the supply ships HMAS Sirius and HMAS Success,” he said.
Mr Watts rejected Defence Minister David Johnston’s claim that “Australia is not in a position to manufacture those vessels” when the minister explained why two new supply ships would be sourced from Spain or South Korea.
Mr Watts said Australian manufacturers had the skills needed to build ships of this size. “A local build or, at minimum, a hybrid build could have been easily achieved,’’ he said.
The Williamstown shipyard is facing a “valley of death” when work on current contracts runs out in January.
BAE spokesman Simon Latimer said the Williamstown shipyard could play an integral role in the Air Warfare Destroyer project – the building of Australia’s most powerful warships.
The company was waiting on the outcome of government negotiations before revealing its short- and long-term plans.
