August 4, 2015
The Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement today to commit to a continuous build program for surface warships over the next 20 years.
“Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector – and this country’s future resilience and global competitiveness – will be far stronger with the certainty delivered by this announcement,” the Chairman of the Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council, Mr John Pollaers, said today.
“This is an historic commitment which will ensure continuity of workforce and skills, and help to sustain industrial scale and efficiencies in the sector.” Mr Pollaers said.
“Flagship projects of the magnitude of Australia’s defence acquisitions can fundamentally change Australian industry. By connecting large, medium and small companies into the high value technology creation and development, such projects stimulate rapid adoption and deployment of critical technologies and diffuse cutting edge skills and knowledge into the broader economy,” Mr Pollaers said.
“For many of the 2500 Australian advanced manufacturers already establishing themselves on the global stage, this will be excellent news.
“The AAMC has strongly advocated for a planned, continuous program of defence procurement for sustainable and competitive growth,” he said.
Mr Pollaers said the Federal government was to be congratulated for today’s announcement.
“We look forward to further detail in the Defence White Paper due over coming months,” he said.