New Minister visits ASC

Minister for Defence, Kevin Andrews, today visited the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) and Collins Class Submarine sites in Adelaide.

Mr Andrews, accompanied on the visit by the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO CSC RAN, met with senior Defence officials and key shipbuilding industry leaders to receive briefings on the projects.

The Minister was given a tour of the shipyard facilities at Osborne to see first-hand the progress of the Air Warfare Destroyers.

“I am pleased to have seen the hard work and dedication that is going into what is the most complex naval shipbuilding program in Australia,” Mr Andrews said.

“It was great to be accompanied on the visit by the Member for Hindmarsh, Matt Williams, and Senator David Fawcett, who have been strong advocates for the South Australian defence industry.

“I also had the opportunity this week to have productive meetings with Opposition Leader Steven Marshall, Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith, Opposition spokesman Dan van Holst Pellekaan and Senator Nick Xenophon.

“The Australian Government has not yet decided on a particular submarine design and more work is required before such a decision is made. Decisions about this next generation of submarines need to be made on the basis of what is best for our Armed Forces and our national security.

“The new submarine program will be the largest defence building program in our history. Whatever decision is taken, there will be more submarines and that means more jobs for South Australia.

“The Federal Government is committed to working closely with the defence industry and the South Australian Government in the future.”

Source: Defence Media Operations