The state government has established an Aukus-focused defence industries department and shifted energy into a diversification agency under its post-election changes to the public sector.
Business groups have welcomed the return of the WA Labor government to power but urged the government to get on with red tape reduction and energy transition progress.
The federal government has issued a call to arms for defence-adjacent industries, highlighting the economic potential of the nation’s planned $30 billion investment in submarine capacity.
A US Virginia-class nuclear submarine has checked into port at Garden Island off Rockingham, as the Australian Navy prepares to welcome nuclear vessels from late 2027.
A re-elected WA Labor government will spend $11 million to incentivise working in the state’s burgeoning defence industry to help fill the 10,000 jobs tipped to be created.
ANALYSIS: A commitment to carry out studies into the congestion squeeze at Rockingham has been welcomed by local government, as pressure builds to support a growing defence sector.
The Department of Defence has sought to assure the WA public of its environmental credentials, as consultation opens on major work expected to disrupt wildlife near Rockingham.
The state government has released a strategy for growth of the defence industry in Western Australia, as activity scales up in the sector in Perth’s southern suburbs.
WA Labor has committed to put $350 million toward an expansion of the Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway and Mortimer Road, in a bid to ease congestion in a region of high activity.
Industry groups representing the state’s largest heavy industrial operators have warned the WA government is not moving fast to address congestion issues in Perth’s south.
Early work is underway on a $660 million Department of Defence infrastructure program at Exmouth’s Learmonth airbase, with ATCO subcontracted to build an initial worker’s camp.
The federal government has acknowledged the infrastructure strain facing Perth’s southern coastal corridor, committing to fund three studies into road access at HMAS Stirling.
Investment to the tune of $35 million in the state’s defence industry has led to around 1,000 opportunities for jobseekers to date, according to figures from a WA government report.
