‘Failure is not an option’ Defence Minister Stephen Mullighan says in landmark AUKUS nuclear subs deal at SA Press Club event

The SA Defence Minister has given a bullish warning in regards to the landmark AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal at an SA Press Club event.

The state of the defence state lunch: from left: panel moderator FiveAA radio afternoon host Stacey Lee, Australian Industry and Defence Network CEO Brent Clark, South Australian Treasurer and Defence Industries Minister Stephen Mullighan and Defence SA head Matt Opie at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, Hindley St Picture: Kelly Barnes

The landmark AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal is so important to Australia’s prosperity and security that “failure is not an option”, a Cabinet minister has warned.

In bullish comments to a defence industries lunch yesterday, SA Defence Minister Stephen Mullighan said the $368bn tri-nation deal was a “national endeavour”.

But Mr Mullighan, also state treasurer, told the SA Press Club event that securing the large, highly-skilled workforce needed to deliver the project posed the “biggest challenge” and would be “very difficult” but achievable.

Authorities are investigating special AUKUS visas to allow highly-skilled migrant workers to move to SA while Mr Mullighan said a “huge amount” of extra funding was being spent on skills and training.

The lunch, which leading defence officials attended, heard the government was poised to unveil a new London-based Defence SA industry director.

The role, similar to a Washington DC job, would specifically develop business opportunities for local companies in the UK and Europe.

Failure is not an option’ in landmark AUKUS nuclear subs deal, SA Press Club event told. Picture: supplied

“It’s a national endeavour, and failure is not an option for our nation in making sure that we employ this defence capability and we deliver those platforms … for the defence of our nation,” Mr Mullighan said.

He told industry leaders he had “confidence” that Commonwealth and state governments would prevent failure because “we’ve made a collective decision as a country” to not buy vessels offshore.

Stephen Mullighan said the deal was too important for the nation’s prosperity to fail. Picture: Kelly Barnes

It was vital passionate youngsters could study relevant school subjects as “who wouldn’t be excited about building our nation’s first nuclear powered submarines”.

He cited official figures that showed SA added 151,000 jobs over the past 10 years – nearly half of which were employed in healthcare and social assistance such as aged and disability care workers, who were traditionally lower-skilled and lower-paid.

Workers stand by a submarine at Osborne shipyard. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

This showed why a highly skilled workforce was important for the economy, he said.

Defence SA, a state government agency, forecasts at least $2bn will be spent at Osborne in the next four years to develop the submarine shipyard.

The Prime Minister last year announced Australia will deliver at least three boats bought from the US, upgrades to extend the life of the existing fleet and eight Australian-made nuclear submarine, which will hit the water from the 2040s.

Mr Mullighan said he was “unsurprised” with an updated 50-year Australia, United States and Britain agreement but downplayed concerns that a new “escape clause” of a year threatened the deal.

Speaking alongside Defence SA chief executive Matt Opie and Australian Industry and Defence Network boss Brent Clark, Mr Mullighan said it was the universal view that AUKUS was safe regardless of who wins the upcoming US Presidential election.

Originally published as ‘Failure is not an option’ Defence Minister Stephen Mullighan says in landmark AUKUS nuclear subs deal at SA Press Club event