Submarine maintenance program to create 3000 jobs for WA

Monday, 12 August 2019 09:53

By Monique Welhan

Collins Class submarines HMAS Collins, HMAS Farncomb, HMAS Dechaineux and HMAS Sheean. PIC: Navy.gov.au

The State Government are pushing to win a Collins class submarine maintenance contract that would create 3000 jobs in WA and inject more than $8 billion into the economy.

An independent study has found that moving the Full Cycle Docking maintenance program from South Australia to WA will have significant strategic and economic benefits and is in the national interest.

Premier Mark McGowan has welcomed the findings.

"Not only is our State home to the largest naval base in Australia, HMAS Stirling, we also have a highly capable and skilled defence industry, and world-class industrial facilities," Premier McGowan said.

"Moving Full Cycle Docking to Western Australia will grow the defence industry's capabilities and it is considered best practice to conduct sustainment activities alongside where the submarines are based.

"It is expected to result in hundreds of new direct jobs and will create thousands of jobs at the peak of the program - and will generate billions of dollars for our State over the life of the program."

The key findings were released at the opening of the State's second annual Indo-Pacific Defence Conference which promotes WA's defence industry to national and international delegates.

3000 new jobs and an $8 billion boost to our economy.

They're the perks of a high-stakes defence contract the state government wants to poach from South Australia.

Kelly Haywood has the full story. pic.twitter.com/CCsvoeFBiJ
— Nine News Perth (@9NewsPerth) August 12, 2019