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WA Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia CSC and acting minister for training and workforce development Hannah Beazley have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ASC to promote and develop the Western Australian defence industry in support of AUKUS milestones.
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The memorandum of understanding will seek to promote and develop the Western Australian defence industry and support the sustainment of Australia’s conventional and nuclear-powered submarines to be delivered as part of the AUKUS trilateral partnership.
ASC is a Commonwealth Government Business Enterprise that built and now sustains the Royal Australian Navy’s current Collins Class submarine fleet. The company was selected as the sovereign submarine partner of the nation’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) and the joint builder of AUKUS SSNs in Australia by the Commonwealth government.
Sustainment activities on Australia's future fleet of nuclear-powered submarines will be conducted in Western Australia.
West Australian Minister for Defence Industry Papalia welcomed the signing of the MOU and its impact on the WA defence industrial base saying, “Western Australia is about to realise a monumental opportunity to expand and diversify its economy through the growth of our defence industry.”
Particular emphasis will be placed on integrating and supporting Western Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into the ASC supply chain as well as training and developing the future workforce for submarine sustainment in Western Australia.
“ASC has operated in Western Australia for many years and this memorandum of understanding strengthens and deepens the state’s relationship with the Commonwealth’s submarine builder and sustainer,” Minister Papalia said.
Minister Papalia stressed the importance of the MOU and the AUKUS program more broadly for the WA government, saying, “The Western Australian government is particularly motivated to see more of our small and medium businesses given opportunities within the ASC supply chain, given the tremendous capabilities our state has in shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing.”
Acting minister for training and workforce development Hannah Beazley echoed the sentiments of Minister Papalia, saying, “The WA defence industry workforce is recognised as one of the most highly educated, qualified and skilled of its type anywhere in the world and that is due to our ongoing commitment to provide training and workforce initiatives.
“The Western Australian Defence Industry Workforce Development Plan 2022–27, underpins our government’s $35 million investment in training and workforce initiatives to ensure WA has a pipeline of skilled workers to meet the demands of the defence industry now and into the future,” acting minister Beazley said.
The WA government intends to maximise the economic impact the AUKUS program will have in Western Australia due to the state’s strategic location as Australia’s gateway to the Indian Ocean.
