Billions promised for Henderson shipyards expansion

The Australian government will establish a consolidated Commonwealth-owned Defence Precinct at Western Australia’s Henderson shipyard to underpin tens of billions of dollars of investment in defence capabilities in the west over the next two decades.

FILE PHOTO (2022): HMAS Parramatta arrives at Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia to begin a capability upgrade. Photo by Petty Officer Richard Cordell.

This is the critical next step in delivering continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and builds on previous announcements of a strategic partnership between Defence and Austal Limited at Henderson.

It also represents a major milestone on the AUKUS pathway as Australia develops the capability to safely and securely own, operate and sustain nuclear‑powered submarines.

The Defence Precinct will support the build of new landing craft for the Australian Army and new general purpose frigates for the Navy, with requisite large-vessel infrastructure to form part of the precinct.

The new Defence Precinct at Henderson will also be the home of depot-level maintenance and contingency docking for Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines, as well as the establishment and operation of Submarine Rotational Force-West at HMAS Stirling.

To deliver this ambitious long-term program, the Albanese and Cook Governments have signed a Cooperation Agreement, which provides a foundation for collaboration to deliver the Defence Precinct and related activities, including…

• Developing a dedicated joint forum to deliver the skilled workforce required to deliver and sustain critical Defence capabilities.
• Establishing the necessary infrastructure, including common user facilities, to support industry across the Defence Precinct at Henderson.
• Ensuring effective engagement across Federal, State and local governments and communities.
• The Albanese Government will make an initial investment of $127 million over three years to progress planning, consultations, preliminary design and feasibility studies as well as enabling works for the Defence Precinct at Henderson. This work will inform future decisions on delivery options and models for the Defence Precinct at Henderson.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government’s commitment to the Defence Precinct at Henderson was a game changer for WA industry.

“This will create thousands of jobs for West Australians and underpin billions of dollars of investment in defence capability in the West,” the PM said.

“Henderson already plays a critical role in the delivery and sustainment of Australian Defence Force capabilities and this will see the important role of WA industry grow further.”

Defence Minister Richard Marles [who prefers the title Deputy Prime Minister, even when discussing subjects pertinent to his Defence portfolio] said the Albanese Government’s commitments represent the most consequential defence investment in Western Australia in nearly four decades, since the commissioning of HMAS Stirling in 1978 and its expanded role as Australia’s Indian Ocean fleet base under the 1987 two-oceans navy policy.

“The Defence Precinct at Henderson will optimise Australia’s shipbuilding and sustainment industry while supporting continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine pathway Defence Minister Marles said.

“We are committed to investing in the growth of a productive and resilient defence industry and workforce to keep our nation safe and deliver a future made in Australia – which is exactly what the Defence Precinct will deliver.”

WA Premier Roger Cook said this was a momentous announcement for Western Australia – one that would set up the State for an exciting future and puts it at the centre of the nation’s defence capability.

“The new Defence Precinct at Henderson will deliver tens of billions of dollars in investment and thousands of local jobs,” Mr Cook said.

“It is a win-win for Western Australia and the nation.”

 

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