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Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne visited Tasmania to discuss the potential of Australia’s continuous naval shipbuilding plan and the opportunities Launceston could capitalise on.
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The Minister gave the opening address at the Launceston Future Frigates Roadshow, a national tour aimed at helping Australian companies get involved in multi-billion dollar projects.
Minister Pyne also visited the Australian Maritime College in Launceston to discuss how the recently announced Naval Shipbuilding College will work in partnership with Australia’s leading maritime training institution.
Minister Pyne said that the Tasmanian economy could receive a significant boost from the Turnbull government’s record $195 billion spend on defence industry over a decade. He restated the government’s commitment to working with local businesses to ensure they have every opportunity to take part in these important projects.
"The government’s commitment to create and sustain a continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment capability in Australia and to maximise Australian industry involvement, will provide many opportunities for Tasmania and the nation as a whole," Minister Pyne said.
"Launceston has a proud maritime history and is a renowned maritime hub and I look forward to seeing local industry participate in the Future Frigate project.
"Defence has a strong association with the Australian Maritime College in Launceston; the new Naval Shipbuilding College will complement, rather than compete with, existing institutions like the AMC.
"The Naval Shipbuilding College will work closely with defence industry, in particular the ship and submarine builders to ensure availability of skilled workers that meet the shipbuilders’ requirements,” he said.
Minister Pyne also met with Tasmanian Premier, Will Hodgman, to discuss Tasmania’s potential to maximise defence industry opportunities and visited the Elphinstone Group to discuss the defence industry opportunities that are available to regional Australia.
