Question Time

Australian Submarine Corporation Jobs

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): My question is to the Premier. Did the Premier receive an assurance today from the Prime Minister of Australia that all submarine maintenance jobs would be kept here in South Australia, where they belong?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:05): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. It is an important question for the people of South Australia. We are the home of the Collins class submarine. We were the ones who built the Collins class submarine very proudly here in South Australia and, quite frankly, I think we are the sole repository of Collins class skills in the entire world. The Collins class is no longer even produced or supported by Kockums in Sweden, so we do have those requisite skills here in South Australia, and many people are concerned with regard to where the full cycle docking will be done in the future.

The commonwealth made a decision some years ago that the construction of surface ships and also submarines would be done and housed in the majority here in South Australia. There are some exceptions to that with the offshore patrol vessels, the final 10 of the 12 being done in Western Australia. The first two, as you would be aware, are being done here in South Australia by Luerssen down at Osborne, but beyond that the construction work of the Future Frigates and the Future Submarines would be done here. The decision was made by the commonwealth some years ago that the maintenance work would be done elsewhere.

We have argued long and hard that the full cycle docking is very different from the normal maintenance, the mid-cycle docking and the intermediate docking, which had already moved to Western Australia some years ago. In fact, the ASC operates the shipyard and the mid-cycle and intermediate docking in Western Australia, and they operate the full cycle docking here in South Australia. We argue, and I think we are correct, that the full cycle docking is more attuned to new construction because you are piercing a pressure hole and you are doing a maintenance program that goes over a two-year period.

This is not a lube job. It's not changing some washers and greasing the hinges on board these very advanced pieces of kit. It is very similar to the work done in construction and, as we are fully aware, we have done that construction originally in South Australia. We have done the full cycle docking in South Australia the entire life of the Collins class, and we have done it very well. Members would be aware that some years ago the full cycle docking of the Collins class wasn't done particularly well and this affected the availability of the submarines, a key piece of kit in terms of the defence of our nation. An extensive plan was put in place to turn that around.

My understanding on the information that I have received from the ASC is that now the full cycle docking, and the availability to submarines here in South Australia, is the best in the world, so I think it's a bold decision to actually decide to move that full cycle docking to Western Australia.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Would the Premier be seated for one moment. There is a point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Respectfully, sir, this is now debate. We asked if the Premier sought assurances from the Prime Minister.

The SPEAKER: I have the point of order. I have the question: it was about assurances and about certain subs maintenance jobs.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my right, be quiet. I have been listening to the Premier, and I believe that his comments thus far have been germane, but if he does step out of line, member for West Torrens, I will attempt to bring him back into line.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: It seems extraordinary, when I'm providing important information and updates to the parliament, that they've got no interest whatsoever. Did the Leader of the Opposition—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Hammond!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —today get an assurance from Richard Marles, who is in South Australia, that under Labor the work would be done in South Australia?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: No such. I listened to that train wreck of an interview on the ABC where you couldn't even convince people on your own side to back your position. That's the importance of the Leader of the Opposition.

The SPEAKER: Premier!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: He's the weakest Leader of the Opposition in the history of this state, and that's not saying—

The SPEAKER: Would the Premier come back to the substance of the question.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Yes. Has the Premier finished his answer?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Thank you.

The SPEAKER: I think he has finished his answer. I uphold the point of order. That was clear debate. I gave the Premier an opportunity and he has concluded his answer.

Ms Bedford: He's auditioning!

The SPEAKER: The member for Florey is called to order.