Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence advises me—although I note that Senator Patrick asked me in relation to my representation of the Minister for Defence Industry—that there are no plans to move full-cycle docking. The Osborne north facility will continue to support Collins class sustainment for some time to come. Planning will be required to ensure that this activity can continue without detriment while the submarine infrastructure construction is underway. By the mid 2020s—and it is very important to note this—there will be submarines in full production at Osborne, employing 2,800 people directly, and frigates in full production at Osborne, employing around 1,500 people directly. So it is completely reasonable for the Department of Defence—Navy in this case that Senator Patrick has referred to—to make contingency plans and review those in terms of managing full cycle docking, which employs around 700 maintenance workers. That is very important work and needs to be managed accordingly.