WA plans Henderson marine complex upgrade, fuelling SA jobs fears

WA has moved towards major upgrades that it says will give it Australia’s most important naval maintenance capabilities.

The Western Australian government has made a move to comprehensively upgrade the Australian Marine Complex, fuelling new fears it could take South Australia’s submarine maintenance jobs.

New tender documents reveal the WA government, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Department of Defence, is seeking suppliers to develop an “Integrated Infrastructure Program” for the complex at Henderson, in Perth’s south.

It would be used to “capitalise upon significant defence shipbuilding and sustainment opportunities”, making the marine complex the “principal location for all maintenance” of Australian submarines and frigates.

But, SA Premier Steven Marshall dismissed WA’s move as an election stunt, saying: “I think it’s a sign that there’s an election in Western Australia imminently”.

SA Premier Steven Marshall dismissed the move, suggesting it was motivated by the upcoming WA election. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

The documents, seen by The Advertiser, show the infrastructure program would include a feasibility study for the out-of-water maintenance of Royal Australian Navy vessels.

“This includes the lifting and transfer of the future Hunter Class frigates, ANZAC class frigates, Hobart class destroyers, Collins class submarines and future Attack class submarines …”

The study would also determine concept designs for vessel transfer paths “to cater for Collins class and future Attack class submarines”. Expressions of interest for the contract close on March 3.

West Australians to go the polls on March 13.

Earlier this week, speculation was tipped in SA’s favour after a new design for the layout of the Osborne shipyard was revealed in documents supplied to federal parliament.

It included a site for building the $89bn Future Submarines that wasn’t on top of the location for full cycle docking – suggesting SA was well placed to keep a lucrative maintenance contract that involves 700 jobs.

Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas said his Labor colleague, WA Premier Mark McGowan, was “hell bent” on taking away the maintenance jobs.

Concept designs for WA's planned upgrades at the Australian Marine Complex. Picture: WA Government

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has made ongoing efforts to win the Collins Class full cycle docking jobs. Picture: Trevor Collens / AFP

The Federal Government is yet to make a decision on whether full cycle docking for the Collins Class submarines will stay in SA or move to Perth.

Mr Marshall said SA was “unequivocally the best home for the Collins Class full cycle docking”.

“We’ve got the very best capabilities, we’ve got the skilled workforce and we’ve been doing the work since day one.”

State Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas said the WA tender documents was a “concerning development” that happened in the “vacuum of decision making” from Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

He also took a shot at WA Premier Mark McGowan, saying his Labor colleague was “hell bent” on trying to steal full cycle docking work from SA.

“He is under no illusions about my opinion that this work has got to stay here in South Australia, we’ve got to fight for these jobs.

“I am willing to stand up to any leader – Labor or Liberal to fight for South Australian jobs.”

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