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Building a Bigger, Better SA forum: Nuclear subs will create a more affluent middle class in SA
Nuclear submarines will create a "new, more affluent" middle class in SA, spurring on investment and job creation – just as car manufacturing did, the Building a Bigger, Better SA forum has heard.
Highly skilled and lucrative jobs attracting the “best and brightest” to South Australia will be created by the state being a vital part of the nation’s nuclear submarine future, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will declare today.
In a speech to The Advertiser’s Building a Bigger, Better SA forum, Mr Albanese is expected to describe domestic construction of a nuclear-powered submarine as “the single biggest leap in our defence capability in our history”.
■ Scroll down for updates from the forum, which begins at noon today.
Premier Peter Malinauskas, who will deliver a keynote address, is expected to call on Mr Albanese to ensure work starts as soon as possible at Osborne Naval Shipyard, in Adelaide’s northwest.
Mr Albanese will argue the nuclear submarine construction – as part of the AUKUS security pact – will be a “catalyst that can help spur the South Australian economy to a higher level of complexity”.
“A catalyst that leads to more jobs. Higher skilled, higher paid, more desirable jobs. Jobs that create more jobs. Jobs worth staying home for. Jobs that attract the best and the brightest to South Australia,” Mr Albanese says, in speaking notes provided to The Advertiser.
“When work begins on the construction of our nuclear submarine fleet, South Australia will be home to the creation of a vital part of that future. You will be at the very heart of the defence of our continent.”
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On SA's @UniofAdelaide and @UniversitySA merger: "(The commission is) massive supporters of the merger process, because it ensures that we shine a light on the critically important research sector," Mr Tembel says. #BiggerBetterSA #TheAdvertiser
— The Advertiser (@theTiser) February 23, 2023
While high-paid jobs have increased in SA, Mr Tembel says the state shouldn't become complacent. "We have shifted our professional jobs share from 3.7% to more than 7% of the workforce over the last 30 years. But nationally, the rate of growth is much higher." #BiggerBetterSA
— The Advertiser (@theTiser) February 23, 2023
The premier says, at this juncture, nuclear doesn't stack up economically for SA. "We're not spending tens upon tens of billion dollars on a power station. I think we dispense with ideology, assess the facts and move on to what might make a difference". #BiggerBetterSA
— The Advertiser (@theTiser) February 23, 2023
Nuclear power is a 'culture war debate'
Nuclear has devolved into a "culture war debate", Mr Malinauskas says. "The far left oppose nuclear because they see it as far right, so the far right supports it just because they think it's opposing the far left. That's a foolhardy exercise". #BiggerBetterSA #TheAdvertiser
— The Advertiser (@theTiser) February 23, 2023
.@PMalinauskasMP addresses nuclear energy: "My position hasn't changed. We have to reduce carbon emissions, it's that simple. We should be completely neutral about how we go best about achieving that." #BiggerBetterSA
— The Advertiser (@theTiser) February 23, 2023
So, for industry and government alike, now is the time for ambition.
— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) February 23, 2023
And today, I outlined that ambition at the @theTiser Future SA – Building a Bigger, Better South Australia.
"Some young people have never seen employment. They're coming from 4-5 generations of unemployment" – Jobs Statewide managing director Wendy-Jayne Williams says connecting young people with jobs and the community is crucial to keep bright minds in SA. #BiggerBetterSA
— The Advertiser (@theTiser) February 23, 2023
Walker Corporation founder Lang Walker says housing is critical to SA's success, urging support from the state government to fast-track affordable projects to alleviate the state's housing crisis. #BiggerBetterSA #TheAdvertiser
— The Advertiser (@theTiser) February 23, 2023
Mr Westcott says SA should aspire to become a 'Unicorn State' economically, attracting highly-educated workers. "Migration is a blunt instrument if it's just migration for the sake of migration. We need to be looking at productivity" #BiggerBetterSA #TheAdvertiser
— The Advertiser (@theTiser) February 23, 2023
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