The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) is backing Labor’s plan to give local companies in regional Australia a fair chance to compete for Defence contracts.
AMWU Queensland and Northern Territory Secretary Rohan Webb said Defence industries are an important part of Queensland and the Northern Territory’s economies and local companies deserved first access to contracts.
“Workers in regional areas deserve additional employment opportunities and we support the move to make sure more Defence contracts go to companies in the regions,” Mr Webb said.
“Queensland and the Northern Territory already host major Defence installations and our local workers have the skills to make a major contribution to our defence capability and defence exports.”
“There is no reason why companies based in metropolitan areas should get a larger share of Defence contracts and we will work with a future Labor government and local companies to assist the process of decentralising Defence manufacturing and maintenance.”
Mr Webb said Labor’s initiative was a positive step towards invigorating manufacturing in regional areas across Australia.
“We need more high skill, high wage, secure jobs across the whole country, especially in our regions.”
