Tuesday’s announcement by Minister Pyne, that the AMC will be a strategic partner in the establishment of the Naval Shipbuilding College to be headquartered in South Australia is welcome news.
Federal Member for Bass, Ross Hart said yesterday’s admission from the State Minister for Defence, Jeremy Rockliff that there was a chance, however small, that the Australian Maritime College (AMC) could have been lost under the new Maritime Training College raises concerns.
“In May last year I said that it was inappropriate to relegate Australia’s leading maritime training and research institution to one of many training organisations who might be delivering training in conjunction with this new training college.
“Tuesday’s announcement shows that the AMC has the facilities and capabilities to deliver much of the skills Australian workers need to deliver the Defence capabilities we need.
Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader (Tasmania), Senator Helen Polley said while this is a welcome collaboration between the states, it’s a shame that Tasmania only receives 0.3 percent of defence spending.
“Compared to South Australia we’re getting the scraps off the table. This was very nearly a disaster for the AMC and Labor is relieved that the Minister has made this concession,” Senator Polley said.
“Christopher Pyne has thrown money at South Australia to try and save his own job to the detriment of Tasmania,” Senator Polley said.
“We have said all along that if you already have a world-renowned institution such as the AMC why would you not just put more investment into that?
“The Turnbull Government needs to start taking Tasmania and our defence capabilities seriously,” Senator Polley said.
“Tasmania is not receiving the attention it deserves and highlights yet again the Tasmanian Liberals failure in fighting for Tasmanians.”
Authorised by Noah Carroll ALP Canberra
ROSS HART MP MEMBER FOR BASS SENATOR HELEN POLLEY SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE LEADER (TASMANIA)
