The federal Opposition says it will not match Labor’s pledge to bring forward the construction of two naval vessels because that would not save Williamstown shipbuilding jobs.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last Thursday visited the BAE Systems naval shipyard and promised more than 1000 workers that a re-elected Labor government would help shipbuilders.
Mr Rudd, pictured meeting workers, said bringing forward the
construction of two naval supply vessels to 2015-2016 would ensure the
survival of the industry by filling a gap in the work schedule known as
the “valley of death”.
Opposition defence spokesman David Johnston said Mr Rudd’s “non-announcement” would not bridge the gap.
“What Kevin Rudd failed to mention is that the ‘hybrid’ build he
refers to will see the first hull built in Spain and then fitted out in
Australia,” Mr Johnston said.
“For each ship built under this model, only 250 to 350 jobs will
be provided and that will be for just one single year, per ship. This is
a cruel hoax upon those Australian workers.”
Currently, there is no work scheduled for Williamstown after the
air warfare destroyer and landing helicopter dock projects finish in
2015-16.
Mr Rudd told BAE workers that bringing forward construction of two naval supply ships would save their jobs.
“We have here assembled in this mighty facility today a vast aggregation of Australian talent,” he told gathered workers.
“We understand that if we lose the skills of this industry it’ll
be incredibly difficult to get them back. Not to mention there are
1100-plus, up to 1400 jobs, associated directly with Williamstown.
“By bringing forward the construction … we intend to provide
future continuity for you and the Australian naval shipbuilding
industry.
“The valley of death will be crossed and crossed well.”
Mr Rudd said acquisition of the $1.5-billion ships was already funded under the defence capability plan.
