Claire Clutterham (Sturt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges the Government's initial $3.9 billion investment in the Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne in South Australia, to deliver the infrastructure needed to build at least eight nuclear-powered SSN-AUKUS class submarines, meaning:

(a) record support for the creation of significant direct employment opportunities, numbering approximately 4,000 for the construction phase and 5,500 for the peak submarine production phase;

(b) opportunities for small and medium sized businesses to contribute to, and benefit from, this significant investment over a period of decades; and

(c) confidence for industry and workers of significant and durable opportunities for partnership and growth through the construction and build phases; and

(2) notes the Government's commitment to ensuring Australia has both the capability and the skilled workforce needed as outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy, through measures like:

(a) calling for and supporting partnerships with the private sector;

(b) investing $480 million in the Skills and Training Academy Campus at Osborne to train the skilled workforce for constructing and maintaining nuclear-powered submarines; and

(c) providing young Australians pathways in the AUKUS submarines industry through skills and training programs.

This motion speaks directly to the huge opportunity before us. It's an opportunity with many parts, but principally it's an opportunity that speaks to the Albanese Labor government's deliberate decision to build a future made in Australia. First and foremost, this motion is about our sovereign capability and defence industrial base, which means a sovereign supply chain and skilled workforce. There has never been a clearer moment to argue in favour of efficiently and effectively entrenching our sovereign defence capability. I want to be clear that, in doing this, it doesn't mean turning our back on our allies or reacting impulsively because of shifting international relationships and the changing approaches of the world's great powers. What it means is acting every time in Australia's national interests by shoring up our own national security and sovereign capability in partnership with our allies when appropriate.

No rational person wants conflict or war—no-one. But we are an island nation and we need a capability that is effective as a deterrent, and we need to continue to prosecute strategies that shore up our seaborne supply now more than ever. Just as no reasonable person wants war, no reasonable person could possibly argue against self-sufficiency, conflict deterrence and protection of our maritime supply chains that are so critical to the security of this country. Secondly, the opportunity before us as we embark upon that sovereign capability journey is also an economic one. Well-paid, meaningful, secure and highly skilled jobs for decades—that is what is on offer for kids who haven't even been born yet.

This national security and economic opportunity is what underpins the Albanese Labor government's initial $3.9 billion down payment investment in the submarine construction yard at Osborne in South Australia to deliver the infrastructure needed to build at least eight nuclear powered SSN-AUKUS class submarines. AUKUS is a national endeavour. It may have its heart in South Australia, but the opportunity is there for all states and territories to contribute to Australia's national security and to embrace that economic opportunity. Small, medium and large businesses are already benefiting. People are moving to South Australia for the work opportunities on offer. Most importantly, we are quite rightly on a pathway with our allies to a greater deterrence capability.

At the submarine construction yard at Osborne, where I proudly used to work, the $3.9 billion investment means support for the creation of thousands of jobs, numbering approximately 4,000 for the construction phase and 5,500 for the peak submarine production phase. Those workers will be highly skilled. We need them to be. This underscores the government's commitment to ensuring Australia has both the capability and the skilled workforce needed, as outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy.

Importantly, the government has called for and supports partnerships with the private sector. AUKUS, as I said, is a national endeavour and cannot succeed without the government's support or the support of private industry. New and innovative ways to reward innovation and risks taken by the private sector in supporting this endeavour will be required, with a particular focus on speed to capability.

Again, however, none of this is possible without skilled workers, which is why, in addition to the $3.9 billion investment, the Albanese Labor government invested $480 million in the Skills and Training Academy campus at Osborne to train the skilled workforce for constructing and maintaining nuclear powered submarines, providing young Australians pathways in the AUKUS submarine industry through these skills and training programs.

I recently met two young Australians who were working as apprentices for BAE Systems at the shipyard at the same time as completing their studies at the Regency Park TAFE. We often hear that young people have no hope for the future and they're despondent about work and life. These young Australians were not despondent. They were excited about their career prospects. They are young enough that in their late 20s and early 30s they will literally build the nuclear powered boats when submarine construction begins in the 2030s. The opportunities underscored by this investment are immense—an economic opportunity but, more importantly, a sovereign defence capability imperative. (Time expired)

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