Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The delivery of AUKUS is one of the most significant nation-building efforts in our country's history. AUKUS is a central pillar of the Albanese government's national security policy, designed to protect Australia, our interests and our place in the world. It is something I feel passionately about, as one of the co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of AUKUS, because the strategic environment we face is becoming more complex, more contested and more uncertain. As the National Defence Strategy makes clear, we are confronting the most challenging circumstances since the Second World War at a time when our economic connections to the world have never been greater. That reality demands a new approach. It demands that we build an Australian Defence Force with greater reach, greater endurance and greater capacity to project greater capability—not for conflict but for deterrence, for stability and for security across our region. That is what AUKUS delivers.

Our investment in conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines represents a step change in Australia's capability. It will allow our defence force to operate over longer distances, remain undetected and respond to challenges with confidence. We recognise the scale of this investment. It is one of the largest industrial undertakings Australia has ever seen, shaping industry, infrastructure and jobs for decades to come. This is about building sovereign capability here at home—a future made in Australia.

We're acting to bridge the capability gap, bringing forward the acquisition of these submarines by a full decade. That acceleration matters because capability delayed leaves Australia exposed. Through AUKUS, Australia will join a small group of nations globally, as one of only seven to operate submarines of this capability. That is a significant shift in our strategic position, and it is one we are delivering with purpose and responsibility.

Nowhere is that transformation clearer than in South Australia. At Osborne we are seeing the foundations of this national effort take shape. In February this year, the Prime Minister announced a $3.9 billion investment as a down payment for the Osborne submarine construction yard. This investment is not just about infrastructure; it is about jobs, skills and opportunities for future generations. The construction of the yard itself will support close to 10,000 jobs, with projections of up to $30 billion in total investment flowing to South Australia over time, driving economic activity, strengthening local industry and delivering benefits across the state.

This is a game-changing project because it is building a workforce and training Australians in highly skilled roles that will last for generations—jobs that are secure, skilled and future-focused. At Osborne, up to 4,000 jobs will be created to design and build the yard and training academy. Once it is operational, a further 4,000 to 5½ thousand direct shipyard jobs will support submarine construction—almost double what had previously been forecast.

Already, Australians are stepping into these roles. Around 180 workers are currently training at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in the United States, building the expertise we need here at home. The scale of the build is extraordinary—a construction yard 10 times larger than the previous developments, requiring tens of millions of hours of work and vast quantities of material, including steel equivalent to 17 Eiffel Towers.

This is a project of national significance, and, alongside it, the government has committed $310 million to secure long-lead components from the United Kingdom, supporting the delivery of critical systems for our first SSN-AUKUS submarines and ensuring we are building capability in a timely and coordinated way.

But AUKUS is not confined to a single site. Its benefits extend across the entire country through supply chains, small businesses and advanced manufacturing. We are opening doors for Australian companies to participate. Through the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Pilot Program, businesses can enter the US submarine supply chain, working alongside global partners to deliver components and expertise. And, through the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program, Australian firms are being supported to meet the standards required to supply into both the UK and the US programs. This is about integration: ensuring Australian industry is part of the global effort while strengthening our own sovereign capability.

At every step, the focus is clear: maximising opportunities for Australian workers and businesses, because this is a once-in-a-generation investment—one that will strengthen our economy, secure our future and support thousands of families.

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