Marshall Liberal Team hits the right note with Defence Industry Policy

The Hon Christopher Pyne MP, Minister for Defence Industry, today welcomed the Marshall Liberal Opposition’s plans to capitalise on the Federal Government’s landmark investment of over $200 billion in Australia’s defence capabilities.

“South Australia plays a vital role in the Government’s plans for defence industry, particularly in shipbuilding,” said Minister Pyne.

“We’re building the Air Warfare Destroyer in Adelaide. We’ll employ 2000 South Australians to build the Future Frigate here. We’ll employ 2800 South Australians to build the Future Submarine here. There will be 400 South Australians directly employed to build the first two Offshore Patrol Vessels.

“It’s vital that we have the workforce to do that work, and that’s why I’m pleased a South Australian Marshall Government has committed to developing a comprehensive Defence Workforce Plan to work with the Federal Government, ensuring the skilled workers are available to deliver,” said Minister Pyne.

The Marshall Defence Workforce Plan includes funding 1,200 apprenticeships to ensure there are enough workers available, establishing a new Diploma of Naval Shipbuilding, and funding a Defence Industry Employment Program for ex-service personnel.

A Marshall Liberal Government will also work to ensure SA gets the ongoing and overflow benefits of the Federal Government’s investment. This includes developing supply chain maps for global projects to help SA companies find opportunities, and establishing a $1 million Defence Industry Scholarship Fund, partnered with universities and primes.

Further to this, an elected Marshall Government has committed $200,000 to ensure that Adelaide becomes the permanent site for Land Forces, the largest land defence conference of its type, which injected $16.6 million into the SA economy in 2016.

“Our defence industry is our great national endeavour, so I’m really pleased that Steven Marshall and his team is committed to cooperating with the Federal Government to maximise the benefits of this unprecedented investment for South Australia,” said Minister Pyne.