The Australian Shipbuilding Federation of Unions (ASFU) welcomed news reported in today’s Australian Financial Review that Defence is feeling pressured to keep the full cycle docking of the Collins Class submarines in South Australia.
The ASFU SA has been campaigning to retain the sustainment work, holding rallies outside the Liberal State Conference and on site at ASC in recent weeks.
“The cracks in the Government’s proposal to move this work are already appearing, and we’ll keep applying the pressure until they commit to keep this work in South Australia”, said Peter Bauer, State Convener of the ASFU.
Today’s article reported that ASC will recommend to the Government that the full cycle docking should be done in South Australia.
“This is great news for South Australian workers and the South Australian economy”, Mr Bauer said.
“It’s difficult to see how it would be in the national interest to move full cycle docking from Osborne. The Osborne based engineers, technical professionals and tradespeople are the custodians of a generation of expertise in maintaining the Collins Class submarine.
“A move west would come at a significant cost for relocation, result in a doubling of the time required to perform maintenance and result in reduced capability for the Navy, not to mention put the majority of the 700 strong Osborne workforce out of work.
“Keeping the full cycle docking in South Australia will ensure that Australia has the sovereign capability to sustain the Collins Class submarines and the skilled workers to build the Attack Class submarines”, Mr Bauer said.
“We welcome Senator Patrick’s advocacy on this issue and we hope to work closely with him to secure a good outcome for South Australian workers”, said Mr Bauer.
/Public Release.
