Defence Minister Marise Payne says nation on the cusp of ‘something fabulous’

AUSTRALIA is on the ‘cusp of something fabulous’ when it comes to hi-tech naval shipbuilding, according to Defence Minister Marise Payne.

Defence Minister Marise Payne appearing at a Defence estimates at Parliament House in Canberra

AUSTRALIA is on the verge of a golden age of hi-tech naval shipbuilding with the benefits set to flow to every state for years to come according to Defence Minister Marise Payne.

The nation’s first woman in the crucial defence job told News Corp Australia that the country is on the cusp of ‘something fabulous’ when it came to defence industry.

The Defence White Paper due out early in 2016 will outline almost $100 billion worth of naval shipbuilding projects including eight or more submarines, a fleet of future frigates and much larger and more powerful offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). Steel for the OPVs is due to be cut in 2018.

The ASC yard in Adelaide will build the frigates but the rest of the work is up for grabs by every shipbuilder and associated industry in the land.

“We are in the box seat in so many ways as far as Australian industry is concerned,” Senator Payne said.

“It is a really positive environment.”

She said the government was ready to establish one of the most productive defence industries in the world.

“I am very excited about that.

Meet and greet ... Defence Minister Senator Marise Payne greeted by Commander of the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer. Picture: AAP/Dan Himbrechts

“We are on the cusp of something fabulous.”

During a wideranging interview in her Parliament House office the minister warned that the crisis in Iraq and Syria would not be solved without the involvement of regional countries.

She said Middle East nations had a responsibility to do more both politically and militarily.

“I don’t think that these matters will be readily resolved without the constructive engagement of those regional governments,” Senator Payne said.

She said there was no there is no text book for solving conflicts in the Middle East.

“This is one of the most complex and difficult regions in the world.

“This is not something that any serious observer sees being solved in the short to medium term.”

The minister was also very supportive of moves by the top brass to engage with the Muslim community and to promote the force as a 21st century employer.

She applauded Navy Chief Vice Admiral Tim Barrett’s decision to fast for Ramadan and to invite the Grand Mufti of Australia to dinner at the Australian War Memorial.

“I commend that,” Senator Payne said.

She also flatly ruled out any move for Army Chaplains would be discarding their Christian hat badges.

“The army chaplains are looking at what their needs are in the 21st century,” she said.

“It doesn’t mean discarding history and tradition it means building.”