Rex Patrick (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) Australia's Collins Class submarines provide vital capability for the Australian Defence Force, yet in June 2011 not one could go to sea,

  (ii) over half a decade later and after significant investment, the current sustainment model, with short term maintenance activities in Western Australia (WA) and full-cycle dockings in South Australia (SA), is achieving world benchmarks,

  (iii) ASC South Australia sends experts to WA to resolve complex maintenance issues,

  (iv) there is a proposal before Government to move full-cycle dockings from SA to WA, which would result in:

(A) a loss of corporate knowledge,

(B) negative impact on the sustainment model, and potential reduction of submarine availability, and

(C) at best, only similar outcomes would be achieved, thus the cost of the move cannot represent value for money, and

  (v) the response to COVID-19 has:

(A) introduced levels of concern and stress on Australian workers, and

(B) is disrupting state economies; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to:

  (i) recognise the success of the current sustainment model, and

  (ii) provide stability for the employees of ASC and the South Australian economy by retaining all Collins Class submarine full-cycle docking activities in SA.