New Defence Precinct at Henderson to deliver continuous naval shipbuilding and nuclear-powered submarine maintenance

The Albanese Government will establish a consolidated Commonwealth-owned Defence Precinct at Western Australia’s Henderson shipyard to underpin tens of billions of dollars of investment in defence capabilities in the West over the next two decades and support in the order of 10,000 well-paid, high-skilled local jobs. 

The establishment of a consolidated Defence Precinct at Henderson is the critical next step in delivering continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. This builds on the Albanese Government’s announcement last year of a strategic partnership between Defence and Austal Limited at Henderson. It also represents a major milestone on the AUKUS pathway as Australia develops the capability to safely and securely own, operate and sustain conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarines.

The Defence Precinct will support the build of new landing craft for the Australian Army and new general purpose frigates for the Navy announced by the Albanese Government, with requisite large vessel infrastructure to form part of the Precinct. These capabilities are vital to transforming our Defence Force’s ability to meet Australia’s complex strategic circumstances. 

The Albanese Government has also determined that the Defence Precinct at Henderson will be the home of depot-level maintenance and contingency docking for Australia’s future conventionally‑armed, nuclear-powered submarines. These vital maintenance capabilities will be established at Henderson in accordance with domestic processes and regulatory requirements, and consistent with Australia’s international obligations to maintaining the highest standards for nuclear safety, security and safeguards.

Contingency and depot-level maintenance alone will create around 3,000 jobs in Western Australia. This is in addition to the thousands of jobs that will be supported through construction of the Defence Precinct, delivery of continuous naval shipbuilding in the West, and the establishment and operation of Submarine Rotational Force-West at HMAS Stirling.

Coupled with the $8 billion the Albanese Government has already committed to expand HMAS Stirling, these investments and capability programs in Western Australia will be worth tens of billions of dollars over the next two decades. 

Cooperation Agreement

To deliver this ambitious long-term program, the Albanese and Cook Governments have today signed a Cooperation Agreement, which provides a foundation for collaboration to deliver the Defence Precinct and related activities. This will include:

• Developing a dedicated joint forum to deliver the skilled workforce required to deliver and sustain critical Defence capabilities.
• Establishing the necessary infrastructure, including common user facilities, to support industry across the Defence Precinct at Henderson.
• Ensuring effective engagement across Federal, State and Local governments and communities. 

The Albanese Government will make an initial investment of $127 million over three years to progress planning, consultations, preliminary design and feasibility studies as well as enabling works for the Defence Precinct at Henderson. This work will inform future decisions on delivery options and models for the Defence Precinct at Henderson.

The Albanese Government is committed to working with the Cook Government to deliver the infrastructure, industry, workforce and training for a defence future made in Western Australia.

A copy of the agreement will be available here: Cooperation agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Western Australia to deliver and sustain Australia's future Defence capabilities | Defence Ministers

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:

“The Albanese Government’s commitment to the Defence Precinct at Henderson is a game changer for WA industry – it will create thousands of jobs for West Australians and underpin billions of dollars of investment in defence capability in the West. 

“Henderson already plays a critical role in the delivery and sustainment of Australian Defence Force capabilities and this will see the important role of WA industry grow further.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“The Albanese Government’s commitments represent the most consequential defence investment in Western Australia in nearly four decades, since the commissioning of HMAS Stirling in 1978 and its expanded role as Australia’s Indian Ocean fleet base under the 1987 two-oceans navy policy.

“The Defence Precinct at Henderson will optimise Australia’s shipbuilding and sustainment industry while supporting continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine pathway.

“The Albanese Government is committed to investing in the growth of a productive and resilient defence industry and workforce to keep our nation safe and deliver a future made in Australia – which is exactly what the Defence Precinct will deliver.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy:

“Successful consolidation of the Henderson precinct will secure decades of continuous shipbuilding in Western Australia, providing generational benefits for locals who play a vital role in keeping Australia safe.

“This investment by the Albanese Government will not only create thousands of high-skilled and well paid jobs in Western Australia but also ensures a future made in Australia.”

Quotes attributable to WA Premier, Roger Cook:

“This is a momentous announcement for Western Australia – one that will set up our State for an exciting future and puts us at the centre of the nation’s defence capability.

“The new Defence Precinct at Henderson will deliver tens of billions of dollars in investment and thousands of local jobs.

“This massive investment delivers on my Government’s mission to develop and diversify our State’s economy by providing another economic pathway for our State for decades to follow.

“It is a win-win for Western Australia and the nation.”

Quotes attributable to WA Minister for Defence Industry, Paul Papalia: 

“The investment of tens of billions of dollars will turn Western Australia into a defence powerhouse.”

“The Defence Precinct at Henderson will be the home of depot-level maintenance for nuclear-powered submarines as part of AUKUS. It will also be the maintenance hub for Australia’s nuclear submarines.”

“This historic agreement will result in generations of jobs and diversify the economy like never before."

MEDIA NOTE:

Media can access imagery/vision at https://images.defence.gov.au/S20243100.