On February 8, 2022 Anonymous commented:
Pete. I agree raising
standards in the shipyard is the greatest concern. That is achievable, but will
require action on infrastructure, training and management. The Rand report [this 2011 Rand Report?] on the revitalisation of the BAE Barrow Shipyard during the Astute program,
overseen by technical assistance from US Electric Boat Company, is relevant. A
similar approach at Adelaide would seem advisable, but is also possible given
USN support.
On the political question
regarding acceptance in Adelaide, I admit to bias as I live in Adelaide. I have
seen little evidence of significant opposition to them being nuclear. It isn’t
a talking point. The main objection to the SSN decision in Adelaide was the
delay to promised jobs. [These would have come with] the Attack Class program. Already
[that program was] several years behind original promises from [former Minister
for Defence Industry, and MP for an Adelaide electorate] Christopher Pyne . Pyne traded on that promise since
2015. Also, several local businesses that invested in working with Naval Group
have lost money.
The South Australia State Election is on March 19, 2022, and I have not seen nuclear power raised as an
election issue. The main political risk in Adelaide is not building nuclear
subs there, but breaking the job promise. Labor has mentioned this several
times. This is why I have repeatedly said the main political risk if Labor gain
power is not following through on local construction jobs. That would kill it.
See AAP via Adelaide’s INDAILY, dated November 9, 2021, which states in part “Labor talks up SA jobs risk from
new [AUKUS] subs deal”
"Labor will push to have
Australian jobs written into any new submarine contract and has criticised the
Morrison Government for leaving businesses high and dry after tearing up the
$90b French deal.
The government axed
the French submarine contract in September [2021], torpedoing the jobs of thousands of
shipbuilders, contractors and workers who were set to be brought on in South
Australia for the build.
Labor’s defence
spokesperson Brendan O’Connor told the Submarine Institute of Australia
conference the party would include a local jobs quota into any new contract.
“These are uncertain times
for businesses and their employees in the defence industry,” he told the
conference on [November 9, 2021].
“Defence has confirmed that [submarine?] shipbuilding jobs won’t come online for another six years.
“We need a detailed,
actionable plan from the government for these workers so we can preserve and
develop their skills and knowledge to ensure we have the talent required when
the time comes to build the new submarines.”
O’Connor said 3000 South
Australian jobs were at risk under the new submarine contract, with the 8000
direct jobs in the state under the French contract being revised down to 5000
in a government factsheet.
“If you were a worker who
left Holden to go and work on submarines after this government shut down the
car industry, you would be feeling a strong sense of deja vu,” he said.
“With the Australian
government spending AU$270 billion over the next 10 years spent on defence,
Labor wants to see a commitment to growing our sovereign defence industry with
a focus on local jobs.”
Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said there would be “significant opportunities for Australian
industry involvement” under any new submarine deal.
The government is working
with the UK and US on a plan to deliver a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
“I am determined to maximise (Australian) involvement and know-how wherever possible,” she told the conference.”...
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