A western suburbs Labor MP is urging the federal government to direct its defence spending to Williamstown’s naval shipyard after the government revealed that it had ordered 58 joint strike fighters at a cost of $12 billion.
Gellibrand MP Tim Watts said that unless the government provided work contracts for BAE Systems, the naval shipyard employing more than 1000 would be forced to close.
In May last year, it was reported that work would run out for the shipyard by January next year.
BAE has been in discussions with Labor and Coalition governments for more than three years in a bid to resolve the gap in work contracts.
Last week, BAE spokesman Simon Latimer said talks were continuing.
“We are continuing our dialogue with the government regarding the urgent need for shipbuilding projects in Williamstown in order to maintain capability and productivity for future programs like Future Frigate and Future Submarines,” he said.
“We are confident the government has a clear understanding of the gap facing the industry.”
Mr Watts said that with the acquisition of 58 joint strike fighters, it was “great to see that the Abbott government is finally thinking about defence spending”.
“Now it’s time Tony Abbott turns his attention to the crisis facing our shipbuilding industry and signs the defence contracts to secure over 1000 shipbuilding jobs in Williamstown,” he said.
“BAE Systems couldn’t be clearer. Without these contracts, the Williamstown shipyards will be forced to close.”
Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury said different options were being explored to maintain work at the Williamstown shipyard.
“There’s exploration for submarine construction at the moment,” he said.
“There’s also the [navy’s] Air Warfare Destroyers’ contract that’s somewhere up in the air … there’s some scope to try and snaffle at least one of those ships.’’
Defence Minister David Johnston did not respond to questions.
