The AMWU has cautiously welcomed the inquiry into maintenance in the Australian Navy, announced by Defence Minister Stephen Smith.

AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver, says that the union has previously expressed concerns that a lack of a regular maintenance cycle and sending major maintenance work overseas has damaged our defence capability.

“Defence needs to plan a regular cycle of Navy maintenance to allow skill levels in the industry to be maintained. Regular work is also key to retaining skills in the face of competition from the resources sector.”

In September last year, the AMWU warned the government that the savings made by sending maintenance work on HMAS Success to Singapore would come at the cost of employment, skills development, and future capability.

“We cannot allow our dockyards to sit idle for months, turn apprentices away and allow skilled workers to leave the industry, and then expect our capability for major work to be 100%.

“Defence capability is not only an important part of our national security, it is a significant opportunity for employment, skills training, and research and development.”

“Unfortunately, the attitude of bureaucrats setting policies in this sector has been to allow work to go overseas to free up skilled labour to work in the mining boom.

“This short-sightedness is detrimental to Australia’s national interest – both in defence capability and in sustainable, long-term employment.”

The AMWU looks forward to Minister Smith’s review taking these issues seriously.