The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union says today’s announcement that the next generation of Protected Mobility Vehicles will be built in regional Victoria is a common sense decision that will mean Australians get twice the value for their taxpayer dollar.

AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver, said that both the defence force and manufacturing workers would benefit from the government’s decision to buy local.

“This new contract will secure more than 200 manufacturing jobs directly in Bendigo and hundreds more in the community as well as at supplier component manufacturers across Australia for the next decade.

“The Bendigo Bushmaster vehicle was an achievement of local design and manufacturing which saved many Australian lives in Afghanistan and around the world.

“The fact that the Minister has awarded this new contract locally shows that the government recognises the overall benefit of spending taxpayer dollars to support our own industry, and of keeping up our local defence manufacturing capacity.

“While some are calling for the off-shoring of key defence work to the lowest bidder, this government has shown that it will put real jobs ahead of bogus ideology.”

The AMWU wishes to acknowledge the work of Defence Materiel Minister, Jason Clare, as he leaves his portfolio today, following the Cabinet reshuffle.

 “We welcome the announcement that Kim Carr will take on responsibility for this area along with Manufacturing and look forward to continuing a strong working relationship.”