Matt Burnell
Spence · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Christiana also said: We need Carnival to stop exploiting the workers. We work very long hours and get paid not even peanuts. Australia has built its reputation on fair wages, safe workplaces and respect for working people. Those values cannot stop at the water's edge.”
“Long shifts are routine, often stretching well beyond 12-hour days. Nobody should have to choose between protecting their health and keeping their job, and, after I heard this, nobody can convince me to go on a Carnival cruise in the future. The Maritime Union of Australia deserves enormous credit for exposing these practices.”
“This was about making sure those without a voice had someone prepared to stand up for them. That experience has stayed with me ever since. Perhaps that is why I reacted so strongly after meeting two former Carnival Cruise employees, Queen and Christiana, this week. What they described left me entirely appalled.”
“Queen and Christiana described having to purchase their own drinking water, Wi-Fi, toiletries and sanitary products while living on board. Basic necessities became another cost deducted from wages that were already impossible to live on. No employer should expect workers to pay simply to meet their most fundamental needs.”
“Thank you to the member for Mayo for that fine contribution to this House just now. Before I entered this place, I spent a decade working offshore in the Australian oil and gas industry.”
“I call on AMSA to ensure these rights are respected and enforced. I know the pride that comes from working in the maritime sector. I also know the sacrifices made by those who spend months away from their families to keep global trade and tourism moving. That commitment should never be rewarded with exploitation.”
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“The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide asked this country to confront some very hard truths. It asked us to listen carefully to the experiences of serving personnel and veterans, and, importantly, their families. It showed that while service remains a great source of pride for many Australians, for too many it was accompanied by harm that should never have been allowed to occur. The royal commission also made clear that systems intended to support personnel and veterans could at times contribute to their distress, particularly when processes became overly complex, delayed or disconnected from the human impact they were having. In too many cases, those pressures left individuals feeling isolated, unheard and unsupported at the very moment they needed confidence in the institution around them.”
“The Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026 speaks to national responsibility in the lived reality of those who serve, those who wear the uniform today and those who have worn the uniform, and the families who carry the burden of service alongside them. When Australians step forward to serve their country, there is an understanding not written down but deeply felt that the nation will stand behind them in return for their service and/or sacrifice. That obligation matters most in difficult moments when people are under pressure and relying on the systems around them to work as they should. It is reflected not simply in what we say about service but in the practical support—the protections and accountability we build into the institutions responsible for caring for those who serve.”
“It means supporting the very people who keep our economy moving every single day. Importantly, it recognises that Australians should not be punished at the pump for global pressures beyond their control. We are stepping in, easing that burden and putting money back where it belongs—in the pockets of everyday Australians. At the end of the day this is about fairness. I'll tell you something else about fairness. It would be fair of the opposition to start supporting the leader of this party and of this country in getting on with making the lives of everyday Australians that little bit better, and stop politicising the fuel crisis on our borders right now.”
“Today is the day. Our promise to cut the fuel excise by 50 per cent has started to come into effect. These changes cut 26.3 cents per litre from fuel prices, saving around $19 on a 65-litre tank. For families across the north, that's not loose change; that's groceries and school supplies. It's a bit of breathing room at the end of a long week. Because, when fuel goes up, everything goes up—the weekly shop, getting to work, getting the kids to school and even the cost of keeping small businesses moving. This is practical cost-of-living relief delivered now, for tradies heading out of the crack of dawn, for shift workers arriving home late, for truckies keeping our shelves stocked and carrying Australia. This matters. It means fewer tough choices between filling the tank and paying the bills.”
“And, ultimately, it is about building a future where every young Australian, regardless of where they live, has the opportunity and the chance to succeed. That is what fairness looks like, and that is what this agreement delivers. We know this won't be an easy or quick task to complete across the nation, but this first progress report for the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement is a step in the right direction to continue to support communities like mine in the north. I thank the House.”
“That is fairness in action. These are clear, measurable goals that governments will be held accountable for achieving, because what gets measured gets delivered. For communities like mine in the north, that accountability matters. It means that fairness is not just a principle; it is something that is tracked, reported and realised over time. It means that a child growing up in Spence can expect the same level of support, the same quality of teaching and the same opportunity to succeed as a child anywhere else in this country. The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement is about fixing a system that was out of balance. It's about investing where the need is greatest. It's also about backing teachers, supporting students and strengthening communities.”
“It supports schools to put the right help in place at the right time through better access to specialist staff, stronger connections to health and community services, and approaches that are tailored to the needs of local communities, because what works in one school may not work in another and flexibility matters. Alongside this, governments are working together on nationally coordinated efforts to promote safe, respectful school environments, because tackling bullying, supporting mental health and strengthening engagement requires a collective effort. When we get this right, and when students feel safe, supported and connected, they show up. They participate. They succeed. That is what this agreement is about—not just results on a page but creating environments where every young person has the chance to thrive.”
“Students experiencing poor mental health are significantly more likely to disengage from learning, and, as this report states, by year 9 those students can be between one and nearly three years behind their peers in literacy and numeracy. That is not just a statistic; that is a warning—a warning that, if we do not address wellbeing, we cannot expect to lift educational outcomes. The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement responds to that reality. It embeds wellbeing into everyday school practice, not as an afterthought but as a core component of learning.”
“It strengthens access to wellbeing supports within schools, acknowledging that students cannot succeed in the classroom if they are struggling outside of it, because when a young person feels unsafe, when they feel excluded, when bullying goes unchecked, learning becomes secondary. That is why the national antibullying implementation plan is such an important complement to this work. It recognises that safe and respectful school environments are not optional; they are foundational. When students feel supported and included, they attend more regularly, they engage more deeply and they are far more likely to achieve strong outcomes. There is a clear connection between health and education.”
“Importantly, this agreement sets clear national targets—targets to increase the proportion of students achieving strong results in reading and numeracy; targets to reduce the number of students requiring additional support; targets to lift year 12 completion rates and ensure more young Australians leave school with the qualifications they need; targets to rebuild attendance to pre-pandemic levels and close the gap for students who have been disproportionately affected, including First Nations students, students in regional areas and those from lower socioeconomic or lower educational backgrounds; and targets to strengthen and sustain the teaching workforce, including increasing participation in teacher education and supporting more First Nations educators into the profession.”
“At the same time, the numeracy guarantee is strengthening mathematics teaching through targeted professional development, specialist support for school leaders and improved curriculum resources. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how early identification, high-quality teaching and targeted support can work in combination to lift student outcomes over time. This agreement also recognises that education is about more than just academic performance. It strengthens access to wellbeing supports within schools, acknowledging that students cannot succeed in the classroom if they are struggling outside of it. By supporting the whole student academically, socially and emotionally, we create the conditions for genuine learning and long-term engagement.”
“The agreement also reinforces the use of teaching practices that are proven to work, ensuring that classroom instruction is grounded in evidence, rather than trends, and that teachers are supported with the tools, training and resources they need to deliver high-quality education. In a case study conducted in South Australia, we are already seeing what this approach can achieve. Through the introduction of system-wide literacy and numeracy checks, South Australia has embedded early identification into everyday practice, ensuring that challenges are recognised early and addressed quickly. The literacy guarantee supports effective reading instruction from the earliest years, strengthens professional learning for teachers at every stage of their careers and provides resources for families so learning continues at home.”
“At the centre of this agreement for educators is a commitment to evidence based practice. It focuses on identifying learning challenges early, particularly in the foundational areas of literacy and numeracy, through structured checks, in the early years of schooling, that allow teachers to quickly understand where students may need additional support. This is not about labelling students as gifted or struggling; it is about equipping teachers with the information they need to intervene early and effectively. That early identification is then matched with targeted support, including small-group tutoring that provides focused, individualised attention, helping students to catch up where they have fallen behind and maintain progress alongside their peers.”
“After attendance had fallen from around 93 per cent to 86 per cent, we are now seeing more students returning to school, re-engaging with their learning and rebuilding routines that support long-term success. We are also seeing more students completing their schooling, with approximately 12,000 additional young Australians finishing high school in 2025 compared to 2024, a result that is consistent across school sectors and across both boys and girls. And, just as importantly, we are seeing renewed interest in the teaching profession. After a concerning drop of around 20 per cent in people choosing to study teaching, enrolments have now increased for the third consecutive year. This matters because, without a strong teaching workforce, no reform can succeed.”
“This is not a short-term injection of funding. It is a long-term commitment to lift standards, expand opportunity and strengthen the system for generations. If we want a stronger economy, a more skilled workforce and a fairer society, then the place to start is in our schools. Importantly, this agreement is not simply about increasing funding. It's about ensuring that funding is used effectively. It is tied to clear reforms, grounded in evidence and focused on measurable outcomes, because investment without direction does not deliver change, but investment with purpose does. Already we are beginning to see the encouraging signs that these changes are taking hold. Student attendance, which had declined significantly in recent years, is beginning to recover.”
“For communities like mine in Spence—in Elizabeth, in Gawler and across Adelaide's north—that gap can be felt every single day. Public schools in our community carry enormous responsibility. They support students from diverse backgrounds, students facing disadvantage, students who need additional support to succeed, yet they were being asked to meet that challenge without the full backing they deserved. The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement changes that. It sets a clear pathway to properly funded public schools and it does so in a way that is deliberate, structured and enduring. It represents the largest investment in public education by an Australian government, delivering an additional $16.5 billion into public schools over the next decade, followed by a further $50 billion in the decade after that.”
“The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement is reform that goes to the core of fairness, opportunity and the future direction of this country. When we talk about schools, we're not just talking about classrooms or curriculum, we're talking about the future of young Australians. It has now been one year since every state and territory signed up to this agreement—one year since governments across the nation came together with a shared understanding that the status quo was no longer acceptable. When Labor came to government in 2022, the imbalance in our system was clear and deeply entrenched. Every non-government school was fully funded or on a defined path to reach that benchmark, but public schools, outside of those in the ACT, were not. That gap did not appear overnight, and it was not going to fix itself.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the question asked in the House yesterday, when the PM committed to speak personally to Josh, a farmer from the Eyre Peninsula, about fuel supplies. Can the PM update the House.”
“We have set clear targets, we backed them with real investment, and we are getting on with the job of building the infrastructure needed. That is how you bring prices down over time—not through slogans but through action. It is about doing the work now, making the investments now and supporting Australians now.”
“For many communities, especially across places like mine in Spence, access to affordable fuel is not a luxury; it is essential to daily life. We know there is more to do, and this government will continue to examine every practical option available to shield Australian households and businesses from the worst impacts of global volatility. That is why the Prime Minister brought together National Cabinet this morning—coordination matters and leadership matter in moments like this. This approach is consistent across the board. On tax, we reshaped the stage 3 tax cuts so that every taxpayer benefited not just those at the top end of town. That is not about ideology; that is about fairness and making sure relief reaches the people who need it most. On energy, we did not offer a promise decades into the future and walk away.”
“That is why we have empowered the ACCC to crack down on unfair price rises, ensuring there are real consequences for companies that do the wrong thing by motorists. We have also acted to boost supply, releasing 20 per cent of the base line minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel, getting more fuel into the system when it is needed most. At the same time, we have temporarily amended fuel standards—a sensible, targeted measure designed to increase supply and ease pressure on prices without compromising long-term standards. Importantly, we are working hand in hand with industry and with the states and territories to make sure that fuel is getting to the communities that rely on it most, particularly in regional Australia.”
“The truth is electrification at scale is not yet a reality for many of these sectors. Heavy transport, agriculture and mining—these are not industries that can simply switch overnight. We all support the transition to net zero. That is not in dispute, but the path to net zero must be practical, it must be staged, and it must bring people with us not leave them behind. To the drivers around Australia who still use fuel, we are providing greater fuel support for those that are doing it tough at the bowser right now. We have taken practical steps to protect Australians from unfair fuel price spikes, because, when global uncertainty hits, it should not be everyday Australians who wear the cost.”
“When we talk about fuel tax credits, we are also talking about the cost of getting food from paddock to plate, the cost of keeping construction sites running and the cost of ensuring regional Australia stays connected. If we get this wrong, Australians will feel it, not theoretically but at the checkout, at the bowser and in their power bills. This motion suggests an orderly phase-out, but there is nothing orderly about pulling support out from under industries that rely on this scheme to operate day to day, especially in the situation that we find ourselves in nationwide, where, due to unforeseen global circumstances, petrol in some places is hovering around $2.50 a litre and diesel has peaked at above $3. To remove a scheme such as the fuel tax credits, would simply cripple businesses and mean we pay more to get food on our plate.”
“I want to address this motion before us because, while it may be well intentioned, it risks missing the reality faced by communities like mine in the north. The fuel tax credit scheme is something that keeps trucks moving, farms operating and supply chains functioning across this country. It's worth explaining exactly what the fuel tax credit scheme is, because it is often misunderstood. The FTC allows businesses that use fuel off public roads—a very important piece—or in heavy vehicles and machinery to claim a credit for the fuel tax they pay. It applies to industries like agriculture, transport, mining and construction—sectors that quite literally keep our economy moving. Put simply, it is not a subsidy in the traditional sense; it is about ensuring these industries are not taxed twice for fuel use that does not rely on public roads.”
“You deserve to reap the rewards of what you've gone about and delivered. Well done, and keep up the great work. I look forward to working alongside all of you over the coming years.”
“They are interested in a government that shows up, listens and gets on with the job, and that is exactly what the Malinauskas Labor government has done, and will continue to do. This result is not the end of the work; it is a mandate to keep going. It is a mandate to keep building, to keep investing and to keep delivering from the city to the regions, and especially in communities like those across the northern suburbs. South Australia is moving forward with confidence, with purpose and with a government that is prepared to do the work, and I, for one, look forward to being part of that journey alongside my state colleagues. Congratulations to all new and returning members right across the state of South Australia. You've put on an extremely disciplined campaign over the last six-odd weeks.”
“I cannot think of anyone better to represent his community's interests. He understands the north, he understands people and he brings that understanding into everything he does. You have done it with a lot going on personally, mate, and I wish you all the best for you new term. Finally, I want to acknowledge Matthew Marozzi, my first campaign manager and someone who knows how to run a campaign with precision and the heart. A 10 per cent swing and a victory in the seat of Morialta is no small feat. It's the result of hard work and a great strategy. This election has shown something important: when you put forward a clear plan, when you stay focused on people and when you deliver, communities respond.”
“Ella is someone who cares deeply about her community, and, more importantly, she fights for it. Day in, day out she is there listening, advocating and delivering. Communities like Elizabeth deserve that kind of representation, and they know they have it in Ella. Zoe Bettison is the returning member for Ramsay, an electorate in the heart of Salisbury. Zoe brings energy, experience and a genuine passion for celebrating what makes South Australia unique. We have Rhiannon Pearce, who is the member for King. Rhiannon becomes the Minister for Emergency Services, the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. They are three substantial portfolios, but I know the people of South Australia have total faith in Rhiannon—me included. John Fulbrook, the member for Playford, is a great bloke, plain and simple.”
“You ran a strong, determined campaign, taking the fight right up to the opposition leader. That takes courage, it takes resilience and it speaks to his belief in the community he sought to represent. I have no doubt we will see more from him in the future. Nick Champion is my predecessor as the member for Spence. As the now member for Taylor, he is serving as the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Housing Infrastructure and Minister for Planning. Nick has always understood the importance of building communities, not just houses; of ensuring growth is matched with opportunity and that more working families are not left behind. His continued contribution to South Australia is significant and deeply valued. Ella Shaw is the member for Elizabeth.”
“I want to acknowledge my colleague and good mate James Agness, the new member for Light. James is someone who has never lost sight of who he represents. He cares deeply about the community that welcomed him, and that shows in everything he does. His election is earned through hard work, genuine connection and a commitment to standing up for his community every single day. I offer my sincere commiserations to Tony Piccolo. Twenty years of service to South Australia is no small thing. It is a lifetime of contribution, of advocacy, of putting community first in line. And while this election did not go his way in the seat of Ngadjuri, nothing could take away from what he has given to his state. His legacy is one of dedication and deserves to be recognised in this place. Commiserations to James Rothe as well.”
“There are moments in politics that come and go, and then there are moments that shape the direction of a state for years to come. The recent South Australian election was one of those moments. It was about choosing a future, a vision and a belief in the direction our state is heading. The people of South Australia have made that choice clear. They have backed Labor, they have backed stability and they have backed the party with a long-term view for the prosperity of our state. At the centre of that vision stands Premier Peter Malinauskas, who has set out a clear path for jobs, infrastructure skills and growth, and is delivering it with discipline and purpose. This election result is a reflection of that leadership—steady, focused and future orientated.”
“My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to support the transport industry and address fuel disruptions?”
“The Redbacks won it away from home in difficult conditions—the first Sheffield Shield final away win since 2019. Congratulations to all involved. I'm looking forward to SACA going for the three-peat next season, but in the meantime I'm sure there are a few red tins deservedly being emptied around the state. Well done, the Redbacks.”
“The summer of cricket may finally be over, and what a summer it was. The Australian women's cricket team got an incredible tri-format series victory over India, which is never an easy feat. The men's team retained the Ashes and put Bazball to the sword with a resounding 4-1 win. Now the cherry on top is the South Australian Cricket Association have gone back to back in the Sheffield Shield. The Redbacks, the pride of the state, were guided to a 56-run victory; a well-deserved man of the match went to Nathan McAndrew; and a classy ton in the second innings came from none other than Alex Carey. They didn't even need the pride of the north, Travis Head, which is maybe for the best for my Victorian colleagues, as this game would have been wrapped up well before the fifth day if he was in the side. What makes it even more impressive?”
“It is about outcomes, and it's about who you choose to stand with when it matters most. On this side of the House, we choose to stand with Australians. We choose getting on with the job and delivering for communities like mine, while those opposite are still fighting. They've got no sense of direction. They are like a ship with a broken rudder—stuck going around in circles and getting nowhere. On this side of the House, we are focused on leading for everyday Australians to ensure that tomorrow is better. I thank the House.”
“It looks like backing families, expanding paid parental leave to 24 weeks with super, lifting wages and delivering cheaper child care, including a three-day guarantee, which families in Spence are already calling life changing. That is what good leadership looks like. It is about making decisions that improve people's lives, even when those decisions are not easy. It's about governing with purpose, not just opposing for the sake of it. When I look at this government, since it came to office, I see consistency, discipline and a clear focus on everyday Australians. I see colleagues in this House and in the other place who are out there in their communities, listening, engaging and delivering—not chasing headlines or internal power struggles but getting on with the job they were elected to do. Leadership is about responsibility.”
“It looks like backing first home buyers, giving them the chance to enter the market with a five per cent deposit. That is good leadership. Easing pressure on energy bills with 30 per cent off home batteries and helping households take control of their costs while we build a more sustainable and connected energy future—that's good leadership. It looks like investing in skills, in workers and in the future of this country, with free TAFE, opening doors for hundreds of thousands of Australians, and with up to $10,000 in support for housing apprenticeships, because, if you want to build more homes, you need more tradies to do it.”
“On building, trusting and mentoring a team and backing your colleagues, the revolving door on that frontbench tells its very own story. Leadership is not about who you stand next to when it's convenient; it's about who you stand by when it's difficult. And times are difficult; let's make no mistake. We do have a great leader in the Prime Minister. If we really want to talk about national leadership, then let's talk about what it actually looks like in practice. Cutting student debt by 20 per cent, delivering relief to more than 19,000 people across my electorate of Spence—that is good leadership. It looks like strengthening Medicare. Opening an additional 50 urgent care clinics so Australians can walk in, get treated and not have to worry about the bill, with nearly two million Australians benefiting, is good leadership.”
“When it comes to integrity and empathy, Australians have long memories. How much integrity and empathy were shown to the Hon. Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the Liberal Party, when she was knifed in the back? When it comes to communication, what we hear from those opposite is plenty of noise but very few solutions to the issues—slogans without substance, week in and week out. When it comes to decisiveness, we see hesitation, we see backflips and we see a party that cannot settle on what it actually stands for, as we saw just this morning in this chamber. On resilience, a resilient team or coalition does not fracture the moment pressure is applied. Yet, time and again, that is exactly what we see from those opposite.”
“When I saw today's MPI, I honestly found it quite funny that the Leader of the Opposition would pose a question about providing national leadership. So I did something simple. I googled, 'What makes a good leader?': A good leader inspires, empowers, and guides a team toward a shared vision while acting with integrity and empathy. The member for Riverina might like to stay to listen to this: Essential qualities include clear communication, decisiveness, resilience, and the ability to build, mentor, and trust their team to succeed. They lead by example, are self-aware, and prioritize continuous learning. I'll give the Leader of the Opposition this: he has certainly inspired, empowered and guided his mates towards a shared vision of sitting on that frontbench together, no matter who is in their way.”
“It is reprehensible that those opposite continue to politicise this crisis. It is time for the Leader of the Opposition to stand up and show some leadership on this very issue and stop politicising it. We need to act as one. We need to act in the best interests of every single Australian. It is time to support these bills.”
“The Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 is a clear statement of intent. It doubles penalties for false or misleading conduct and for cartel behaviour to a maximum of $100 million per offence. Our job is to act in the best interests of Australians, and that is what we are doing here today. We know people are doing it tough. We know it's a hard slog. These bills are our work to improve the lives of everyone in this country. I want to say to those opposite: when times are tough, when crises are on our shores, there is a time for real leadership in this place. That's why we've been elected. We need to stand up as one collective force in this place at this time for our country and ensure that our truckies are treated with respect and dignity and that our system is not taken advantage of.”
“When you support truck drivers, warehouse workers and those on the frontline of our supply chains, you understand just how quickly things like unfair fuel prices and unfair market behaviour hit their livelihoods. These are workers already operating long hours, on tight margins and with immense responsibility. So legislation like this is practical protection, ensuring that people who keep Australia moving are not the ones paying the price for corporate misconduct, which should never be tolerated by any government that claims to stand for fairness. That is why we are putting petrol companies on notice. We will not cop big corporates treating Australian consumers like mugs. We will not accept behaviour that undermines trust, distorts markets and drives up the cost of living.”
“When those chains are strained and when transport is not supported, everything slows, everything costs more and everything becomes harder. Let us be clear. If truckies cannot afford to keep moving, food does not get delivered. If fuel prices are manipulated, regional communities feel it first and worst. If supply chains stall, the economy does not just stumble; it risks grinding to a halt. I'm sure no-one in this House and no Australian out there wants to see that happen. I've seen the impact on the transport workforce firsthand through my time working alongside the Transport Workers' Union of Australia and, more broadly, over more than 22 years in the transport industry.”
“These workers are not just part of the economy; they are the backbone of it, and they deserve our protection. They deserve fairness in pricing, fairness in conditions and a system that does not allow them to be squeezed while others profit. When price gouging occurs in fuel markets, it does not just hurt motorists in the suburbs; it flows through the entire supply chain. That is why legislation like this, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, is important. Supply chains are the lifeblood of the nation, and when they come under pressure like this because of global uncertainty they need good government to step up. They ensure food reaches our tables, medicine reaches our hospitals and goods reach every corner of this country.”
“This matter goes to the very heart of fairness—fairness for everyday Australians, fairness for families doing their best and fairness for the workers who quite literally keep this country moving. The Albanese government has been clear from day one. Our focus is simple—to build an economy that works for people, not the other way around. That means standing up when markets fail, stepping in when big corporations overreach and making sure Australians are never taken for granted. Across this country, from our major ports to the smallest rural towns, there is a workforce that never stops: transport workers, truckies, logistics operators—the people behind the wheel at all hours of the day and night, connecting communities, delivering goods and keeping shelves stocked.”
“My question is for the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government making it easier for Australians to see a GP for free? Why is this important after a decade of cuts and neglect?”
“We are opening doors for Australian companies to participate. Through the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Pilot Program, businesses can enter the US submarine supply chain, working alongside global partners to deliver components and expertise. And, through the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program, Australian firms are being supported to meet the standards required to supply into both the UK and the US programs. This is about integration: ensuring Australian industry is part of the global effort while strengthening our own sovereign capability. At every step, the focus is clear: maximising opportunities for Australian workers and businesses, because this is a once-in-a-generation investment—one that will strengthen our economy, secure our future and support thousands of families.”
“Around 180 workers are currently training at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in the United States, building the expertise we need here at home. The scale of the build is extraordinary—a construction yard 10 times larger than the previous developments, requiring tens of millions of hours of work and vast quantities of material, including steel equivalent to 17 Eiffel Towers. This is a project of national significance, and, alongside it, the government has committed $310 million to secure long-lead components from the United Kingdom, supporting the delivery of critical systems for our first SSN-AUKUS submarines and ensuring we are building capability in a timely and coordinated way. But AUKUS is not confined to a single site. Its benefits extend across the entire country through supply chains, small businesses and advanced manufacturing.”
“The construction of the yard itself will support close to 10,000 jobs, with projections of up to $30 billion in total investment flowing to South Australia over time, driving economic activity, strengthening local industry and delivering benefits across the state. This is a game-changing project because it is building a workforce and training Australians in highly skilled roles that will last for generations—jobs that are secure, skilled and future-focused. At Osborne, up to 4,000 jobs will be created to design and build the yard and training academy. Once it is operational, a further 4,000 to 5½ thousand direct shipyard jobs will support submarine construction—almost double what had previously been forecast. Already, Australians are stepping into these roles.”