Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk still silent on Brisbane nuclear submarine base despite union supporting it

Annastacia Palaszczuk’s own union has weighed in on the debate about building a multi-billion dollar nuclear submarine base in Brisbane, pledging their support for the move that would create thousands of jobs. But the Premier continues to remain silent.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has refused to say whether she shares the view of her union regarding a proposed nuclear submarine base in Brisbane, instead insisting it was a matter for the Prime Minister.

The Australian Workers’ Union has thrown its support behind the project on the condition it would create secure jobs.

The Premier has for days dodged questions about whether she supported investigating the Port of Brisbane as the east-coast base of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines, prompting Defence Minister Peter Dutton to label her behaviour “strange”.

Mr Dutton accused Ms Palaszczuk of “running from the cameras” on whether or not she supported the proposed project which could create thousands of jobs.

Neither Ms Palaszczuk or Prime Minister Scott Morrison discussed the submarine base proposal when they spoke by phone on Thursday afternoon.

Asked on Friday whether she shared the union’s view, the Premier said her government supported jobs.

“But let me say this about that proposal, it is a defence issue,” she said.

“It is a matter for Scott Morrison, Scott Morrison looks after defence.

“It is his decision and his decision alone.”

Pressed further on whether she supported the project on the condition it would create secure jobs, Ms Palaszczuk said, “I am not the Defence Minister and I’m not the Prime Minister”.

Australia’s Collins Class submarines HMAS Collins, HMAS Farncomb, HMAS Dechaineux and HMAS Sheean in formation.

The Federal Government has short-listed Brisbane, Port Kembla and Newcastle for a new east-coast base that is estimated to cost more than $10bn.

“The Premier of New South Wales, on the same available information is committing to what he sees as an opportunity … (and) thousands of jobs,” Mr Dutton said.

“So the industry that’s behind the submarines … it’s the money that visiting platforms spend in a local economy when they come to visit.”

The criticism was echoed by Mr Morrison, who warned a decision on the preferred site would be based partly on whether state and local governments were cooperative – signalling Queensland had been “very quiet”.

He also conceded there were some logistical and technical issues with all three short-listed sites, including water not being the best depth for submarines in Brisbane.

A Defence report in 2011 on a new submarine base noted Brisbane would be good because of the Bulimba Barracks — infrastructure which has since been sold to private developers.

Facing another day of questions about her view of the Commonwealth’s proposal, Ms Palaszczuk declared her government would “absolutely support the defence industry”, but won’t ask the Commonwealth for more detail about the base.

“We’ve always fought to have the naval fleet when it was the Pacific Patrol Boats, when that contract was looking at going to Cairns we fought for that, and then it went over to Perth,” she said.

However, Ms Palaszczuk declined to say whether the base should be built — leaving Treasurer Cameron Dick to respond to questions.

Mr Dick, who led the state’s successful bid for the $5 billion Land 400 military vehicle contract, said the state would respond to the Commonwealth once more detail was provided.

“Queensland stands at the frontline of our nation’s defence, we always have through the First World War, the Second World War, through Vietnam, through other military conflicts and also peacekeeping and we also stand at the frontline of our nation’s defence industries,” he said.

“The reality is this is a promise about something that may happen in the future.

“Queenslanders would rightfully be sceptical about what Scott Morrison says may or may not happen in a decade’s time.”

AWU Queensland Branch Secretary Steve Baker. Picture: Mike Batterham

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Australian Workers’ Union, of which Ms Palaszczuk is a member, has thrown its support behind the proposal.

Queensland Branch Secretary Steve Baker said it could be beneficial for the state and called for extra detail.

“The AWU supports the Commonwealth’s proposal to build a nuclear submarine base in Brisbane on the condition it will create secure, ongoing jobs and stimulate the local economy,” he said.

“However, we would like to see further detail on the benefits for local industry and the composition of operational jobs beyond construction of the Brisbane base.”

Mr Baker questioned whether Australian manufacturers would be used and said the Commonwealth should consider building conventional submarines in Australia.

“This would be more meaningful to the thousands of shipbuilders across the country who have suffered from decades of government neglect and can’t wait another twenty or thirty years for a new fleet of submarines,” he said.

Meanwhile state secretary of the left-faction union the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union Rohan Webb called for more detail.

Electrical Trades Union Queensland and Northern Territory State Secretary Peter Ong also said his union was opposed to the base and said the Commonwealth failed to provide assurances it would benefit Australian businesses.

Originally published as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk still silent on Brisbane nuclear submarine base despite union supporting it