What does Christopher Pyne’s appointment as Defence Industry minister mean for SA?

NEW Federal Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne has signalled he doesn’t need any help from his state counterpart, Liberal defector Martin Hamilton-Smith.

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NEW Federal Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne has signalled he doesn’t need any help from his state counterpart, Martin Hamilton-Smith.

Mr Hamilton-Smith has been shunned by former Liberal colleagues since he defected to the Weatherill Government and accepted the defence industry portfolio in 2014.

Mr Pyne was on Monday appointed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to a new cabinet post with responsibility for new submarines, surface ships and other defence manufacturing projects.

The former Industry Minister said he was humbled to be appointed to the new role.

New Defence Industry minister Christopher Pyne at ASC. Pic: Tait Schmaal

But Mr Pyne indicated he was unlikely to work closely with Mr Hamilton-Smith.

“All state governments have very little to do with defence industry,’’ he told The Advertiser.

“I note for example that Marise Payne as the Defence Minister hasn’t needed to meet with Martin Hamilton-Smith to be able to do her job well on a national basis, or for that matter on a South Australian basis.”

Mr Hamilton-Smith was in the United Kingdom on Monday for a trade mission but issued a statement congratulating Mr Pyne on his new post.

“We congratulate Mr Pyne on the portfolio and we look forward to federal and state co-operation to deliver enterprise and jobs for South Australia,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

In February, Mr Pyne revealed the state MP had not been invited to a defence industry roundtable hosted by Business SA and the two have held no recent meetings.

Mr Pyne said he was excited to be given the opportunity to help deliver $195 billion worth of projects that were announced in the Government’s Defence White Paper and to promote advanced manufacturing.

“I won’t be a parochial minister focused only on South Australia. The defence industry is spread right throughout our country,’’ he said.

“Obviously naval shipbuilding is centred on Adelaide and I had quite a bit to do with delivering that. And now I’ll get to build what I delivered.’’

Mr Turnbull said he had appointed Mr Pyne to the new role because of the scale of the defence investment announced earlier this year.

“This is a big change, a big reform and it requires additional leadership and additional oversight, additional advocacy and drive,” Mr Turnbull said.

“We have in Christopher Pyne someone whose energy is, perhaps legendary, and he will need all of that to ensure that these projects are being delivered.’’

Labor defence spokesman David Feeney said the creation of the new defence industry role was recognition of the fact that defence industry policy has been a “shambles” over the past three years, citing confusion over the submarine contract and delays in procurement.

The new Turnbull ministry will be sworn in by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove on Tuesday and Parliament will sit for the first time on August 30.

Second term is sink or swim

Analysis — Peter Jean

AFTER a difficult first term, Malcolm Turnbull knows it’s time for the Federal Government to start delivering.

A majority of voters forgave the Coalition some novice mistakes and delivered it a second term in office. They might not be so forgiving next time.

“In three years’ time, you will be asking me here about what we have delivered,’’ the Prime Minister said yesterday. As Liberal national director Tony Nutt and pollster Mark Textor yesterday told government MPs, the number one concern of voters at the election was job security.

That is why “innovation” and the expansion of the defence industry was at the heart of the government’s election platform.

Defence Minister Marise Payne and newly-appointed Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne share a flat when they are in Canberra.

They will now also share responsibility for the Future Submarines and other defence projects designed to promote the creation of new technology and jobs.

Mr Pyne’s appointment to the role will reassure SA voters that government promises to base major shipbuilding projects in Adelaide will be honoured.

But Mr Pyne’s shift to the role could make life uncomfortable for State Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith, who defected from the Liberals to join the Weatherill Government. The new Turnbull ministry will remain focused on economic security, including policies which boost employment. Success or failure will determine whether Mr Turnbull and his ministers keep their jobs.