Premier Jay Weatherill will today lead a debate in the State’s Parliament that will call on the Abbott Government to keep its promise and build future submarines in Adelaide.

The motion, to be debated at midday today, also condemns the Federal Defence Minister for his recent attack on ASC workers and reaffirms support for those who work in South Australia’s defence industry.

Speaking at component manufacturing company Axiom (formerly Diemould) today, Mr Weatherill said that the building of future submarines is the most important issue presently facing South Australia.

“Today, I am here at Axiom at Wingfield, a company that has built a reputation as a quality advanced manufacturer of tools and automotive components supporting more
than 20 highend jobs.

“Like many similar companies facing the challenge of Holden leaving in 2017, they have sought to secure their future by diversifying their operations, securing contracts to build components for submarines.
“Now they face an even more uncertain future, with a Federal Government who are walking away from Australia’s defence manufacturing sector.

“In May last year, David Johnston and Steven Marshall promised to build 12 submarines in Adelaide.

“If the Liberals plan to build submarines offshore goes ahead, this will stand as the most devastating lie ever told to the people of South Australia.

“It will be a betrayal of the greatest magnitude.

“Furthermore, the Federal Defence Minister last week added insult to injury, saying that he would not trust ASC workers to build a canoe.

“Then Joe Hockey on radio yesterday all but ruled-out a competitive tender process for the building of submarines.

“Today’s motion will be a clear message from our State’s Parliament that we fully support our local defence industry and its workforce.”

Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith said that the case had been well and truly made for manufacturing future submarines in Adelaide.

“We know our defence industry has the proven capability to deliver this project and we reject the slur cast on this important industry,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“We are calling for a transparent tender process so that South Australia can put its case forward to build submarines at ASC and keep the jobs here.”
Minister for Manufacturing and Automotive Transformation Susan Close said that the Federal Government must stop sending mixed messages to components manufacturers.

“On one hand, the Federal Government is telling automotive component manufacturers to diversify, but then they are shipping advanced manufacturing jobs overseas,” Ms Close said.

“Great South Australian companies like Axiom demonstrate that there can be a future for advanced manufacturing beyond Holden’s exit, but they need to see a future in growing industries like defence and renewable energy.”