Contrast this......before the election ...
What the (now) Coalition Defence Minister, David Johnston promised SA BEFORE the election (May 8, 2013).
http://www.senatorjohnston.com.au/Media ... oject.aspxI want to confirm on behalf of the Coalition that we are firstly committed to submarines for the Royal Australian Navy, they are a very important and vital and special capability as a deterrent. Secondly, I want to confirm that the 12 submarines as set out in the 2009 Defence White Paper and then again in last Friday’s Defence White Paper are what the Coalition accepts and will deliver.
We will deliver those submarines from right here at ASC in South Australia.
Now why ASC? Right across Australia there is only one place that has all of the expertise that’s necessary to complete one of the most complex, difficult and costly capital works projects that Australian can undertake. It’s ASC here in Adelaide. We believe that all of the expertise that is necessary for that project is here.
What do the State or SA-based Federal Liberals have to say now?
Where is their much needed support and championing of our ASC submarine building program, in the face of current rumours of the $20 billion contract going to Japan.
Massive job losses, multiplier effect in reverse, huge hit to our SA economy!!!
ALP Shadow Minister, Mark Butler bemoans the lack of support from SA Libs in this press release (29 August 2014)
....SOUTH AUSTRALIAN LIBERALS ARE SINKING OUR SUBMARINES
South Australian Liberals continue to fail their home state with Jamie Briggs sneering on Adelaide radio this morning that the Government shouldn’t make a submarine decision “based on parochial needs”.
http://markbutler.alp.org.au/news/2014/ ... submarinesSouth Australian Liberals are willing to put billions of dollars in investment and thousands of shipbuilding jobs in the Port Adelaide electorate at risk because of petty party politics.
Before the election, Defence Minister David Johnston stood out the front of ASC in Osborne and promised: ‘We will deliver those submarines from right here at ASC in South Australia. The Coalition today is committed to building 12 new submarines here in Adelaide’.
But now Tony Abbott and Minister Johnston are breaking that promise and South Australian Liberals are cheering them on. Not one single South Australian Liberal is holding Tony Abbott to his pre-election promise.
Mr X weighs in ...
ABC News:Submarine policy: Nick Xenophon urges PM to 'end the uncertainty' over SA project
Thousands of jobs would be lost if the Federal Government announced Australian submarines would be made in Japan, independent senator Nick Xenophon has said.
Ongoing uncertainty over the Federal Government's policy for its ageing fleet of Collins Class submarines has flared again.
It follows a visit of Japanese submarine experts to Adelaide last month.
The Coalition is due to reveal its policy for replacing the submarines next year, with speculation Defence Minister David Johnston will reveal a significant downgrade in plans to build the 12 submarines in Adelaide.
Senator Xenophon has called on the Prime Minister to "come clean".
"There must be an end to the uncertainty," he said.
"The fact that it's not being denied is a real concern.
"We can't plan as a state unless we know what the Federal Government is doing or not doing with the subs, whether there are alternative projects in the pipeline.
"But the important thing is to avoid the so-called valley of death, which is literally thousands of jobs which are at stake... until we know that there is an alternative out there, if that's what the Government is planning to do."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-08/x ... ct/5727028
The secret visit to the ASC by the Japanese delegation adds to the angst that the deal is done and SA will get a few scraps ...