THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
Thursday, 28 January 2010
010/2010
REFORMS TO NAVAL SHIP REPAIR SECTOR
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today
announced reforms to Australia’s naval ship repair sector that will help deliver
better results for the Navy and more certainty for defence industry.
“These reforms being announced today will lead to greater certainty in the
naval ship repair sector allowing for increased investment and better
performance. This is good for jobs, good for the taxpayer and good for the
Navy,” Mr Combet said.
“This is a win win for Defence and industry. Defence enjoys savings in their
sustainment budget and industry gains certainty that allows them to develop
their workforce and infrastructure.
“Under these reforms, the Defence Materiel Organisation will reform the
Navy’s Major Fleet Unit Repair and Maintenance program as outlined in the
Smart Sustainment initiative.
“The principal element of the reform program is the establishment of long term
performance based contracts for repair and maintenance activities in lieu of
the current arrangement that is based on awarding a contract under a panel
arrangement for each and every maintenance activity.
“These reforms will lead to the batching of our requirements. This will affect
the maintenance and repair of the Major Fleet Units - the eight ANZAC class
frigates, the four Adelaide class frigates, the two Amphibious Landing Ships
and the Heavy Landing Ship.
“It is also intended that these new maintenance concepts will be extended to
new ship classes such as the Air Warfare Destroyers and the Landing
Helicopter Dock Ships when they are introduced.
“On average the Australian Government spends $150 million per annum on
major surface ship repair and maintenance. We would expect to see
significant savings from this reform.
“As Minister for Defence Personnel I am pleased that this initiative will also
provide better notice to Navy and ships’ crews of the planned location of
maintenance patterns,” Mr Combet said.
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):
02 6277 7620 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
