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Australian defence minister accuses Bill Shorten of hypocrisy over shipbuilding Australian defence minister accuses Bill Shorten of hypocrisy over shipbuilding
(5 months later)
The defence minister, Senator Marise Payne, has accused Labor of extreme hypocrisy over shipbuilding, saying the opposition never placed a single ship order during six years in government.The defence minister, Senator Marise Payne, has accused Labor of extreme hypocrisy over shipbuilding, saying the opposition never placed a single ship order during six years in government.
Her words come after the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, challenged the federal government to commit to building submarines in Australia, accusing it of abandoning blue-collar workers.Her words come after the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, challenged the federal government to commit to building submarines in Australia, accusing it of abandoning blue-collar workers.
“It is hypocritical in the extreme and they should be exposed for the absolute hypocrites that they are,” Payne told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.“It is hypocritical in the extreme and they should be exposed for the absolute hypocrites that they are,” Payne told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.
Addressing a shipbuilders’ rally in Adelaide, Shorten criticised Coalition MPs for not having the “intestinal fortitude” to make a commitment.Addressing a shipbuilders’ rally in Adelaide, Shorten criticised Coalition MPs for not having the “intestinal fortitude” to make a commitment.
Related: Australian submarine fleet could come in $5bn cheaper – report
He said he was gravely concerned Australia would see the demise of manufacturing in Australia if the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, was re-elected later this year.He said he was gravely concerned Australia would see the demise of manufacturing in Australia if the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, was re-elected later this year.
Labor was committed to supporting the building and maintenance of submarines in South Australia, supporting a continuous build until the submarine contracts came online, he said.Labor was committed to supporting the building and maintenance of submarines in South Australia, supporting a continuous build until the submarine contracts came online, he said.
“This submarine battle is not just about the submarines,” he told the rally.“This submarine battle is not just about the submarines,” he told the rally.
“It’s actually about do we want to be a country that makes things in Australia?”“It’s actually about do we want to be a country that makes things in Australia?”
Payne confirmed in March that the Spanish shipbuilder Navantia had been selected as the preferred tenderer to construct urgently needed replacements of replenishment vessels HMAS Success and HMAS Sirius.Payne confirmed in March that the Spanish shipbuilder Navantia had been selected as the preferred tenderer to construct urgently needed replacements of replenishment vessels HMAS Success and HMAS Sirius.
The decision sparked outrage from Labor and shipbuilders, angry that shipbuilding dollars were being sent overseas while Australia’s own industry was on life support.The decision sparked outrage from Labor and shipbuilders, angry that shipbuilding dollars were being sent overseas while Australia’s own industry was on life support.
Shorten said it was a “terrible decision”, vowing to make manufacturing and jobs a core election issue.Shorten said it was a “terrible decision”, vowing to make manufacturing and jobs a core election issue.
Being the son of a former seafarer and ship repairer, he said, the issue was personal.Being the son of a former seafarer and ship repairer, he said, the issue was personal.
Related: Submarines excluded from Abbott government report on shipbuilding
“It is not leadership to have sent the naval supply vessels to Spain.”“It is not leadership to have sent the naval supply vessels to Spain.”
A ReachTEL poll of almost 1,300 voters in Liberal-held Adelaide seats, commissioned by the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, shows most support submarines being built in South Australia.A ReachTEL poll of almost 1,300 voters in Liberal-held Adelaide seats, commissioned by the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, shows most support submarines being built in South Australia.
In the Sturt seat of the cabinet minister Christopher Pyne, 85% support a South Australian submarine building base, while in Hindmarsh the figure is 90%.In the Sturt seat of the cabinet minister Christopher Pyne, 85% support a South Australian submarine building base, while in Hindmarsh the figure is 90%.
The union is warning the Coalition will face a voter backlash at the coming election if shipbuilding follows car manufacturing overseas.The union is warning the Coalition will face a voter backlash at the coming election if shipbuilding follows car manufacturing overseas.
Its assistant national secretary, Glenn Thompson, said it was madness for the government to consider having submarines built overseas as South Australia struggled with high unemployment.Its assistant national secretary, Glenn Thompson, said it was madness for the government to consider having submarines built overseas as South Australia struggled with high unemployment.
He said voters were “deeply cynical” after the Coalition backflipped on its 2013 pre-election promise to build 12 submarines in Adelaide.He said voters were “deeply cynical” after the Coalition backflipped on its 2013 pre-election promise to build 12 submarines in Adelaide.
Japan, France and Germany are competing for the contract to build 12 submarines.Japan, France and Germany are competing for the contract to build 12 submarines.