Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator O'Sullivan, for the question and also for your dedication to defence industry in our home state and right across this nation. This government's record in defence industry capability is playing an important part in our economy in four ways. Firstly, it's delivering the economic lifeline Australians need to get through the virus. Secondly, it's reopening our economy and our society for a clear road ahead. Thirdly, it's building confidence and momentum in our economy. Fourthly, it is contributing to positioning our economy for long-term growth.

Defence is the Australian Commonwealth's largest employer. Defence also directly employs and engages over 120,000 Australians—120,000 Australians! From this position of workforce strength and stability, Defence is leading in its contribution of job creation and opportunities in this nation. Many tens of thousands more Australians across defence industry are now benefiting from this government's $200 billion investment in new ADF capability.

In naval shipbuilding alone direct jobs will grow by over 2½ thousand over the next five years, growing to 15,000 new Australian jobs nationwide. In just two years this government has already delivered six new Australian-built naval vessels with another nine under construction, which is creating a pipeline of thousands of jobs which will continue to grow.

Our Army modernisation program will create 1,800 direct jobs over the life of the boxer and protected mobile fires program. The Morrison government is investing in our bases and training Australia wide, which is supporting local jobs in construction, maintenance, subcontracted work and supply chains. Through local industry capability plans for major construction contracts around 80 per cent of all subcontracts are now going to local companies right across our nation.