00:00High viz for a high profile defence agreement, worth tens of billions of dollars.
00:09This represents the most significant defence industry offering to Western Australia since
00:15Federation.
00:17New army landing craft and frigates for the Navy will be built at the Commonwealth owned
00:21defence precinct in Henderson.
00:23And after years of lobbying by WA, the Commonwealth has agreed it will also be where maintenance
00:29of Australia's future nuclear powered Orcas submarines will occur, with several dry docks
00:34likely built, close to their base at HMAS Stirling, and with about 10,000 high skilled
00:41jobs in the offing.
00:42This particular industry will rival the resources industry, is one of our main areas for economic
00:48growth, for economic activity and for employment.
00:51A $127 million Commonwealth investment now for initial works, including feasibility studies
00:58and design, will also come up with a total cost, reportedly estimated at up to $20 billion.
01:04But the Coalition's Defence Spokesperson Andrew Hastie says $127 million is barely enough
01:10to get work started, and shows a lack of commitment by the Albanese Labor Government.
01:15Business wants more too.
01:17Today was an important step, it is helping to create momentum, but we want to see from
01:22the Federal Government in their next budget in February, a clear, indicative, long term
01:27timeline for funding, so that industry has that certainty.
01:31This agreement today will result in Western Australia being the home of the biggest naval
01:37maintenance hub in the entire southern hemisphere.
01:40Power and positioning for the future.
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