Shipyard jobs: Defence Minister silent on new timeline for Full Cycle Docking decision in 2020
A decision on whether 700 shipyard jobs will stay in South Australia or move to Western Australia could still be weeks away.
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A decision on whether 700 shipyard jobs will stay in South Australia or move to Western Australia could still be weeks away.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has refused to say when the Government will make a decision on the Collins Class submarine maintenance contract, leaving hundreds of workers in limbo about their futures.
A decision on full-cycle docking was initially expected before Christmas after the Government flagged it would be made by the end of 2019.
But Ms Reynolds, pictured, would not confirm a new time-frame for the announcement when asked this week.
The minister’s office provided the same statement she issued in December.
“Our submarine capability is one of the most strategically important and complex capabilities our Defence Force has,” the statement said.
“The Government’s consideration of submarine fleet transition continues.
“Issues relating to full-cycle docking are yet to be considered.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s National Security Committee of Cabinet, which will make the final decision, will meet on Monday specifically to discuss the bushfire crisis.
It’s possible but unlikely that ministers could also discuss the submarine contract.
Shipyard workers were “frustrated at the continued to delays” and wanted to know where they stood, Australian Manufacturing Workers Un-ion SA state secretary Peter Bauer said.
“The Government needs to respect that they are dealing with the future of real families and the importance ... for them and our state to keep the work here,” he said.
The Advertiser can reveal Defence SA has completed an expanded plan for the Osborne shipyards, without a specific location for full-cycle docking.
However, the Government department says there is plenty of room for future shipbuilding activities and the lucrative submarine maintenance contract the West Australian Government wants to poach from SA.
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Delivering a plan for the shipyards before the new year was a requirement of the state as part of the $500 million Commonwealth City Deal.
A Defence spokeswoman said the plan was completed but would not be distributed broadly. “The purpose of the plan is to assist government and council planning, and therefore will not be distributed,” she said.
“The plan sets out zones for specific purposes and the additional facilities such as offices and warehousing needed can be accommodated in the space provided.
“Our understanding is that a few additional warehouse and office facilities would be needed for FCD (full-cycle docking) production.”
“This can accommodated in the area to the north of the existing facilities.”