Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to address the amendment that has been foreshadowed in the omnibus repeal legislation, which is about submarines. At the moment shipbuilding and submarines make up approximately 3,000 direct jobs—manufacturing jobs in South Australia.

Opposition senators interjecting—

And I will address all of your points but it is safe to say there are many thousands of ancillary jobs—in fact, employment in the wider industry is approximately 27,000 direct and indirect jobs within defence in South Australia. This includes ADF and government employees such as DSTO; the industry employs about 14,500. These are old figures. They are from 2011-12. We are currently producing more economic data on these ancillary jobs, which are a direct benefit to the economy of South Australia. So that is: 3,000 direct and 27,000 across the board—any diminution of confidence in our state defence manufacturing sector can have a really deleterious effect on the economy of South Australia.

We really do need to put a few facts on the table here. Since the minister's infamous comment that he 'would not trust ASC to build a canoe', let's just have an examination of what has been said about that. Not all of the criticism has been from this side of the chamber. Stephen Marshall, the Liberal leader in South Australia said: 'He needs to do everything he can to meet with the industry urgently and win back support, or his position is untenable.' He said, 'At the moment we have a minister making a mockery of ASC and it is not good enough.' He said: 'Just because the minister says it was a rhetorical flourish is not good enough.' Mr Marshall said he would be speaking with Prime Minister Tony Abbott today. He also said: 'These were disgraceful comments about the hardworking people at the ASC, and he needs to do something immediately to rebuild the confidence of those people in the defence sector here in South Australia,' Marshall told journalists. 'And if he can't, his position is untenable.' Marshall said he would be talking to Prime Minister Abbott today about the comments. 'The comments made in the parliament yesterday by the minister were nothing short of deplorable. We completely reject the comments that were made.' That was from InDaily, 26 November 2014.

The West Australian reported:

A senior Liberal said Senator Johnston's comments were 'breathtaking', coming just a fortnight after he apologised to ASC chairman Bruce Carter for being critical of the agency's work.

The West Australian understands Senator Johnston told Mr Carter over dinner in Adelaide that he would refrain from criticising the ASC in future.

'This whole process has been undermined by Johnston and his office from the very beginning,' a senior Liberal said. Another senior Liberal said the comments were 'some of the most stupid words I have ever heard from a senior minister'.

Assistant Infrastructure Minister Jamie Briggs said Senator Johnston's comments were 'wrong', as Tony Abbott issued a statement in support of the shipbuilder. The Australian reported:

Angry South Australian Liberal MPs said last night that Senator Johnston’s comments prompted a rush of complaints to the Prime Minister’s office, which later issued a rebuke of the minister.

Mr Briggs said he did not support Senator Johnston’s comments, while South Australian Senator Simon Birmingham also hit back.

Mr Briggs said he did not support Senator Johnston's comments—