Defence Minister Richard Marles unveils AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy

Defence Minister Richard Marles has unveiled an AUKUS submarine industry strategy at The Advertiser’s Defending Australia forum.

Small and medium-sized businesses are being told how to snare lucrative slices of the $368bn AUKUS submarine project in an industry strategy unveiled by Defence Minister Richard Marles.

Speaking at The Advertiser’s Defending Australia forum, Mr Marles insisted Australian industry would “be at the forefront” of the multi-decade nuclear-powered submarine program, which would create about 20,000 jobs across the country.

Launching Australia’s AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, Mr Marles said this set out plans to support and grow priority industries for the Adelaide-centred project and help them enter supply chains in the United States and United Kingdom.

Five critical areas to boost Australian industry are pinpointed in the strategy, including simplifying regulation, creating demand clarity for industry and entering the overseas supply chains.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles with SA premier Peter Malinauskas, visiting the Osborne Naval Shipyard with worker Terry. Pic RoyVPhotography

Areas pinpointed for Australian industry potential include electrical systems, large machining and fabrication, safety equipment, secondary propulsion system components and control/instrumentation.

“Australian industry will be at the forefront of our conventionally-armed, nuclear‑powered submarine program – helping to build, operate and maintain this crucial capability,” Mr Marles said.

“Australia’s AUKUS Submarine Industry strategy sets out how the Albanese Government will continue to implement initiatives and programs to support, guide and grow priority industry sectors, alongside our AUKUS partners.

“Our work does not stop here. As a multi-decade, multi-generational undertaking which will create around 20,000 jobs across the country, the strategy will continue to evolve in line with industry and capability requirements as the AUKUS pathway progresses.”

The industry strategy also focuses on boosting investment attractiveness in critical areas and growing the skilled workforce.

Speaking at The Advertiser’s Defending Australia forum, Mr Marles insisted Australian industry would “be at the forefront.” Pic RoyVPhotography

Mr Marles and Premier Peter Malinauskas on Wednesday morning turned the first sod of a $500m Skills and Training Academy at Osborne. Pic RoyVPhotography

It is pitched as laying the foundation to grow businesses, in consultation with industry, unions and academia, and between Australia and AUKUS partners.

Mr Marles and Premier Peter Malinauskas on Wednesday morning turned the first sod of a $500m Skills and Training Academy at Osborne expected to open in 2027/28, near the future nuclear-propelled submarine shipyard.

“This is a really exciting moment in the progress of AUKUS. This is demonstrating that the optimal pathway for Australia to acquire a nuclear-powered submarine capability is occurring,” Mr Marles said.

“When this is up and running, what we will have at the Osborne Naval Shipyard is the most hi-tech, biggest industrial production line in Australia – indeed, one of the most hi-tech production lines in the world.”

Mr Malinauskas, who has repeatedly declared developing a skilled workforce the biggest risk of AUKUS, said: “This is the day that South Australia’s been waiting for.”

“The Skills and Training Academy is a milestone that will really differentiate the future of our state,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“The hundreds and thousands of young people coming through this facility to be trained up with the most exquisite of skills to build the most complex machine ever built in human history, all in South Australia. It is an unparalleled, unmatched opportunity.”

Originally published as Defence Minister Richard Marles unveils AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy