The Federal Government must deliver on its local shipbuilding promise

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne must immediately release the Frigates Request For Tender so that the facts can be established. Public reports this morning that this tender document does not require the successful tenderer to utilise the existing shipbuilding workforce or to engage with Australian shipbuilding companies is an affront. If correct, this revelation exposes…

Australians must build future submarines and frigates

The need for an Australian-owned builder for the $89 billion 12-submarine and nine-frigate program was emphasised in State Parliament today by South Australian Defence Industries Minister Hamilton-Smith. The Minister told budget estimates that indications coming from Canberra are that the French Government-owned Naval Group (formerly DCNS) having been chosen as the architect and designer of…