Western Australia’s new $4.3bn naval dock ‘worrying’ for SA: Martin Hamilton-Smith

A “worrying” new multibillion-dollar shipyard in WA will fire up the interstate rivalry with SA over submarine jobs, a former minister predicts.

A new multi-billion dollar naval dock in WA is set to reignite an interstate stoush with South Australia over defence jobs as the federal government comes under pressure to reveal how it plans to fill a decade-long “canyon” of no submarine construction work in Adelaide.

Scott Morrison on Tuesday revealed a $4.3bn investment for a “world class” dry dock at Henderson that he said would “turbocharge” the country’s naval shipbuilding program.

The Prime Minister labelled the project a “vote of confidence in WA’s shipbuilding capabilities”.

Former SA defence industries minister Martin Hamilton-Smith declared Premier Steven Marshall was “outflanked” by WA Premier Mark McGowan, and predicted it would renew tensions between the two states, which raged for years over the location of the coveted Collins-class full cycle docking maintenance program.

“I think it’s a very worrying development for SA workers and the defence industry in SA unless the government provides some clarity,” Mr Hamilton-Smith, now director of the Australian Sovereign Capability Alliance, said.

Former Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith labelled the announcement “worrying” for SA workers and businesses.

He suggested the $4.3bn should be spent covering SA’s “valley of death” – a term he used to describe a lull in shipbuilding activity at Osborne.

“What we have just ignited is an interstate rivalry we could all do without,” he said.

The new Henderson base, to be operational in 2028, will support at least 2000 direct WA shipbuilding jobs. It will boost the construction of several ships, including 10 Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels, and the sustainment of eight Anzac-class frigates and other ships.

Independent SA senator Rex Patrick slammed the federal government for staying “silent” on how it plans to get SA ready for the immense build of the nuclear-powered submarines, mooted to cost more than $100bn.

“We’ve got investments being announced on the east coast in relation to a future submarine base, we’ve got dry docks being announced on the west coast,” Senator Patrick said.

“But there’s silence on how the government will fill the decade-long canyon in terms of shipbuilding jobs here in SA caused by the AUKUS proposal.”

SA Senator Rex Patrick urged the federal government to reveal how it plans to plug a “canyon” of no submarine construction work at Osborne.

The first of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines won’t be delivered until 2040. As Mr Morrison dumped the $90bn Attack-class program with Naval Group, SA scored an array of new defence contracts, including the life-of-type extension for the ageing Collins-class boats and crucial upgrades to the Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyers.

SA also won its bid to keep full-cycle docking work at Osborne, beating WA for the 1600 highly skilled jobs and ending years of fierce debate between the two states.

Defence is six months into an 18-month study on how to build the nuclear-powered submarines.

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