An Important Defence Decision !

The Defence budget is a big ticket item on the Australian economy and it is important that it be spent wisely.  We are well on the way to acquiring a fleet of twelve new attack submarines which we hope will guarantee sea safety access to our northern export markets.  The shells of these submarines will be constructed overseas and they will be fitted out in Australia.

South Australia has long been the designated site for submarine construction and maintenance in Australia and we have six ageing Collins class subs serving in the Royal Australian Navy.  They have been a disappointment because they did not age well and it is rare to have more than one ready for sea duty at any time.   They will still be required to shoulder the defence load while this new fleet is fitted out and the Defence Department is considering whether the extended work on both classes of submarines will be possible within the facilities existing in South Australia.

There is the suggestion that maintenance of those Collins class submarines be moved to the submarine base in Perth, Western Australia and that seems likely to develop into a political fight. There are seven hundred jobs involved in servicing the Collins class subs and state premiers will. fight tooth and nail to keep those payrolls in their state.

That decision will be made by the eight members of the National Security Committee of cabinet, of which three are from Western Australia and on which South Australia lacks representation.  Already compromise is being suggested with the thought that perhaps the " blue collar " maintenance workers be moved to Western Australia while the " white collar " engineers stay in Osborne, South Australia.

That seems a recipe for disaster.   The idea of separating the people who plan the maintenance work from the people who carry out those plans by the width of the Nullaboor Plains is certain to result in mistakes and misunderstandings.  It is essential that both planning and maintenance operations work hand in hand and the South Australian work site will increase in work intensity from 2024 when the first of the new subs arrive for fitting out.

As soon as those new subs become operational the old Collins class boats will be decommissioned and taken out of service.  The people doing their maintenance will have the right skills for retraining to service these new boats which will provide Australia with the defence needs essential in a modern navy.

The problem is that mixing politics with defence decisions usually creates short term solutions to long term problems.  Those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat the same mistakes. Wisdom is essential in making this decision  !