Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced that the first meeting of the Future Submarine Industry Skills Plan Expert Industry Panel was held today.

“The Future Submarine Project is the biggest and most complex Defence project Australia has ever embarked upon,” Mr Clare said.

“Hundreds of companies and thousands of workers will be required to support the construction of Australia’s future submarines.

“The Industry Skills Plan will establish a roadmap to build and sustain the skills required to successfully deliver Australia’s Future Submarine capability.

“In order to develop an effective Skills Plan we need to engage industry early and work closely together throughout the life of the project.

An Expert Industry Panel has been established to consult with industry and key stakeholders. It is headed by Mr David Mortimer, AO who has over 40 years of business experience.

The Expert Industry Panel includes representatives of major Defence companies, unions, Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, Skills Australia and Defence and Unions.

The Panel will undertake a program of consultation with State Governments, Australian industry, industry associations, universities and other academic organisations and think tanks.

The Future Submarine Industry Skills Plan will be presented to Government by the end of the year.

Media contact:

Minister's Office (Korena Flanagan) - (02) 6277 7290 or 0418 251 316

Departmental - (02) 6127 1999