No excuses for Hunter Class frigate project cuts, says Liberal Simon Birmingham

One of the architects of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine build has warned about cuts to Adelaide’s $45bn frigate project.

One of the architects of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine project is warning cuts to a $45bn Adelaide frigate program would be another broken Labor promise that would imperil the state economy.

Opposition Senate Leader Simon Birmingham, who was finance minister when the AUKUS pact was revealed in 2021, said there could be no excuses for any cut to the $45bn project to build nine Hunter Class frigates at Osborne Naval Shipyard.

Senator Birmingham, who was the responsible minister for Osborne-based submarine firm ASC when AUKUS was conceived, insisted contracts and budgets had been locked in by the former coalition government.

The prospect of only three Hunter Class frigates being built, effectively scuttling the project, is sparking strong concern at the highest levels of the state Labor government.

Evolved Hunter Class design for guided missile frigate. Supplied by BAE Systems Australia

The Advertiser on Tuesday revealed strong concern that Treasurer Jim Chalmers would not find sufficient funds in his May budget to construct at least six frigates, needed to keep the federal government’s promise of a continuous naval shipbuilding program in Adelaide.

Senator Birmingham rejected Premier Peter Malinauskas’s argument to parliament on Tuesday that the former government had announced a frigate build but “there were zero ships” in the “funding profile”.

“Any cut to the Hunter class program will be yet another broken promise by the Albanese government and will jeopardise jobs and investment in SA,” Senator Birmingham said.

“There are no excuses for cuts to Hunter, with contracts and increases to defence budgets locked in years ago under the Liberal government.”

Senator Birmingham highlighted commitments to BAE Systems Australia’s Hunter program in 2022 by Defence Minister Richard Marles, when he said they would “in many ways be the centrepiece of our surface fleet” and declared: “The Hunter Class is going to happen.”

Senator Birmingham accused Labor of keeping the Osborne workforce in the dark on the project’s future.

“Mr Albanese promised to honour and deliver this program, with his defence minister saying it is going to happen and not about to change,” he said.

“After two years of the Albanese government, the workforce at Osborne has been fed nothing but reviews and uncertainty.

“It’s time for Mr Albanese’s dithering over defence to end and for delivery of his promises to build these ships.”

The-then finance minister Simon Birmingham tours BAE Systems Australia’s Osborne shipyard in 2022, with the-then UK foreign secretary Liz Truss. Picture: Tricia Watkinson.

Babcock bets the household on Adelaide Hunter frigates program

By Cameron England

Faced with a skills crisis familiar to advanced manufacturing companies worldwide, UK-based defence company Babcock set about making the transition into shipbuilding easier for those who might never have dreamt of a career in the industry.

Back in 2021 the company launched its “Production Support Operatives” program, which trains up new staff to work alongside qualified tradespeople, lightening their load, and also providing a pathway for the new staff to earn a trade also, if they wish.

The program has so far created about 170 new roles at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard, and welcomes applicants aged up to 55.

Stephanie Wallace, 47, was a cleaner at the Rosyth site before being encouraged to apply for a PSO position by Babcock staff.

Ms Wallace said her husband had always been the primary breadwinner in their household, but as her children grew up, she started to consider whether a new career was on the cards.

But she didn’t consider a role in the shipyard was a possibility until the PSO program was offered.

“What am I going to do? I’m 40-odd years old, with a customer service background, who’s going to look at me?” she thought.

Ms Wallace’s application for the program was successful, and she’s now an integral part of the shipyard team, working on ventilation programs which ensure a safe work environment.

She says the process made what had previously seemed an unrealistic goal a reality.

“But then once you’re on site it’s about proving yourself and your own capabilities, then all the options are there for you,’’ Ms Wallace said.

Paul McLelland, 53, was formerly a baker, and for family reasons, had stepped back from the workforce until recently.

Seeking a new role, he found the PSO process provided a life-changing opportunity to move back into the workplace full time.

Those in the PSO program can train up for that role and stay there, or if they wish, can advance those skills through apprenticeship pathways.

Babcock head of sustainability marine, Natasha Allan, said the program was being replicated at other sites, and would be suitable for rolling out in Australian operations also.

* The author travelled to the Rosyth shipyard in Scotland as a guest of Babcock.

Originally published as No excuses for Hunter Class frigate project cuts, says Liberal Simon Birmingham