Shadow Defence Minister Richard Marles spoke at the National Press Club in Canberra this week to outline the ALP's approach to Defence policy.
Marles started by outlining the four pillar Defence policy strategy that he will be taking to the ALP’s national meeting in July. “First, 'providing the ADF with the world’s best capability in order to keep our sailors, soldiers and aviators safe and successful on behalf of our nation'. At its best, Australian industry is as capable as any in the world,” Marles said.
“If we believe we have or can develop the world’s best capability in any given area, then this is reason alone for Australia to have a defence industry so that the ADF can have access to the best. Bushmaster, Nulka and the Jindalee Operational Radar Network bear testament to that."
Marles held up Israel as a model. "At the heart of Israel’s rationale for a defence industry is a fundamental confidence in its own ability to build the best in order to make the IDF the best," he said. “A dull acceptance of Australian industry inferiority, without any attempt to improve it, is inexcusable."
“Second, 'providing Australia with the sovereign capability to maintain and sustain the ADF and all of its equipment'. The ability to sustain and maintain the equipment the ADF uses is fundamental to our national security and it is essential that we always retain the industrial capability to meet this objective.
“Third, 'building technological capability and workforce skills within Australia’s broader industrial base'.”
“Defence industry is high tech industry. For a first world nation like Australia to maintain an industrial manufacturing base then we have to be at the top of the technological ladder. Making low value products at the cheapest prices is not the business we should be in. From Israel to Sweden, the value to the broader economy in the industrial capability developed through defence industry is priceless.
“A Labor Government will have a coordinated approach between broader industry and Defence towards building future capabilities, ensuring that Defence develops strong links with our civil science and research sectors and relevant education institutions.
“And finally, 'enabling Australia to project its strategic weight through an exporting defence industry'.”
“An export based national defence industry can add to Australia’s strategic weight.
"The need for Australia to plot its own path in the world means that more than most countries we have a particular premium on being taken seriously. The ADF helps that happen for Australia. So too could an exporting Australian defence industry. It can be a means by which we project Australian power,” Marles said.
Marles also made the argument for an Australian shipbuilder to be mandated for all future shipbuilding programs, whilst confirming that Labor will not revisit either the OPV or Sea 5000 decisions should the party form government after the next election.
During the Q&A session, Marles questioned whether Lockheed Martin Australia was a true Australian company, as it is not listed on the ASX. He was, however, not able to clearly define what constituted an Australian company.
(Editor’s note: Lockheed Martin Australia is a pty ltd company, reports to ASIC annually, and employs 800 people in Australia, according to data submitted in the most recent ADM Top 40).