Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a $12 billion funding package for the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia, declaring it a cornerstone of Australia’s future naval shipbuilding and AUKUS commitments.
“This world-class precinct will create more than 10,000 local jobs and provide strong opportunities for local industry,” PM Albanese said.
“We are investing in our capability and our relationships to keep Australians safe.”
The investment, part of an additional $70 billion in defence spending over the next decade, will deliver continuous naval shipbuilding, facilities for future frigates, sustainment of surface combatant vessels, and contingency docking for conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the funding marked a “significant proportion” of the project’s estimated $25 billion cost, cementing Henderson as the hub for submarine sustainment and surface fleet construction.
WA Premier Roger Cook praised the announcement as “a huge opportunity” for the state, predicting the precinct would become the largest shipbuilding and maintenance hub in the Southern Hemisphere and a key driver of economic diversification.
The government said the first phase of work, including construction of Army landing craft, would begin next year, with the precinct ultimately employing 4,000 directly and supporting 10,000 jobs across WA.
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