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The plan that will bring together all of the elements of the government’s continuous naval shipbuilding strategy will be released “imminently”, said Minister for Defence Industry Christoper Pyne.
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In address to Parliament Thursday afternoon, Minister Pyne said the Turnbull government will soon release this plan and that it is a demonstration of their commitment to naval shipbuilding in Australia.
"The government's unprecedented commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding will support the strategic and capability needs of Defence, provide a viable, permanent shipbuilding industry, provide certainty for the shipbuilding workforce, deliver value for money, build commercial confidence and promote the use of global best practice," Minister Pyne said.
"Defence is conducting a strategic review of the workforce, skills and infrastructure needs at Osborne and Henderson shipyards to inform the Naval Shipbuilding Plan’s development.
"The government is committed to maximising Australian industry involvement in the naval construction programs for Future Submarines, Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels."
The plan will take into account how best to:
- Optimise the use of Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and overseas subsidiaries established in Australia;
- Build on existing infrastructure and encourage future investment in people, facilities and research and development to ensure that Australian shipyards and their complementary supply chains are prepared to participate in and support Australia's naval shipbuilding industry;
- Provide the Australian defence industry with a clearer sense of Defence's future plans, priorities and intentions, providing industry with the confidence to invest in Australia's naval shipbuilding industry for the long-term and make informed and better targeted investment decisions;
- Smooth the 'peaks and troughs' that have characterised Australian naval shipbuilding; and
- Maintain a constant base load of work that would sustain a viable naval shipbuilding industry in Australia.
