Brian Burston (NSW, United Australia Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate:

(a) notes that:

  (i) on 29 June 2018 the Government announced that nine new 'Hunter-Class Frigates' will be built in Osborne, South Australia,

  (ii) the $50 billion, twelve new submarines are also to be built in Osborne, South Australia,

  (iii) one of the names of the first three ships to be built will be HMAS Hunter, and

  (iv) the Hunter region in NSW has a strong history of ship building and Defence build projects; and

(b) calls on the Government to:

  (i) ensure that the Hunter region of NSW be included in the build phase of the frigates, as much as possible, and

  (ii) reconsider giving the class of frigates a more apt name such as the Osborne-Class or the Sturt-Class or the SA-Class or maybe even the Pyne-Class.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

BAE expects that the Australian industry content for the Hunter class build will be 65 to 70 per cent, which will create and secure thousands of jobs for decades. BAE has prequalified over 500 Australian businesses from every state and territory to be in the Hunter class supply chain. The class name has already been decided. It reflects the tradition of naming Royal Australian Navy ships that promote Navy's bond with the nation. In this case, the first three ships of the Hunter class will proudly carry the names of three major Australian regions, all with strong historical maritime and naval ties.

Question negatived.