Minister for Defence Industry – Transcript – Interview with Leon Byner, Radio FiveAA

Department of Defence

THE HON MELISSA PRICE MP

Minister for Defence Industry

TRANSCRIPT

INTERVIEW WITH LEON BYNER

RADIO FIVEAA

Subjects: Submarine maintenance jobs, Australian Industry Content, attracting automotive workers to the defence industry

E&OE……..

LEON BYNER: …and I’m very pleased to have, and we’ll introduce her in a moment, the Defence Industry Minister, Melissa Price. But just to give you a little bit of background: South Australia is in a race to secure up to 15,000 construction and supply chain jobs associated with shipbuilding projects. And what’s happened is that Defence Department officials and Naval Shipbuilding College, based here, held talks with General Motors’ reps last week about redeployment opportunities for Holden staff when the company ends its Australian operations next year. So, let’s say good morning to Defence Industry Minister, Melissa Price. Melissa, it’s nice to talk to you.

MELISSA PRICE: And good morning, Leon.

LEON BYNER: Before I get to the detail of this, can I just put something on the table. When will we know what sub maintenance jobs will stay in SA?

MELISSA PRICE: Well, as you know, Leon, issues relating to full cycle docking are yet to be considered. And you will also appreciate that Linda Reynolds, who is the Defence Minister, she is the responsible Minister – I’m the Minister for Defence Industry and my focus is on the new build, like, you know, the 12 submarines that are going to be built in South Australia and, of course, the nine frigates as well.

LEON BYNER: All right. Now, how much of the work will actually be done here in SA, because there’s been a lot of – a lot of

/Public Release.