Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Payments) Share this | Hansard source

For Tasmania, as an island state, the maritime industry has always been and will continue to be extremely important. When Labor were in government, we worked proactively so Tasmania could take its rightful place in Australia's defence shipbuilding efforts. Businesses, unions and local government joined forces with Labor and succeeded in establishing a Defence precinct at Prince of Wales Bay, near Hobart. The Tasmanian Maritime Network is more than ready and able to take on Defence contracts which will create hundreds of jobs for the maritime industry in Tasmania. These jobs will include much-needed apprenticeships and traineeships for young Tasmanians. Importantly, there would be flow-on effects across the state. Tasmania has an international reputation for building boats, and we have the skills to fit out any Navy boats, insulate them and provide communications. I commend the motion to the Senate.

Question agreed to.