New Depths in Australia-US Relations: The Collins Class ...

Maryanne Kelton: New Depths 11The range of the new Type 471 would be in excess of 9000 nautical miles,with a diving depth in excess of 250 metres and a ship's company of 42 plus fivetrainees, 40 substantially fewer than the 65, plus trainees of the Oberon class. Its3050 ton displacement makes it the world's second largest non-nuclear poweredsubmarine. 41 Whilst both the South Australian and NSW governments assiduouslysought to persuade the shipbuilders of their location, the newly formed ASC 42decided to construct the vessels at Port Adelaide in South Australia, a state sufferingfrom economic malaise, rising unemployment and the decay of its manufacturingindustry, in a state also about to face an election.Coincidentally, at the time of the submarine tender selection process, theLabor government launched its document for industrial reform in Australia. Attractedto the cohesive partnerships established by business, unions and government insome Scandinavian countries, an ACTU delegation conducted a reconnaissancemission to Western Europe. With the benefit of this experience, the ALP theninstituted its own vision for industrial relations in Australia. In this plan, entitled,'Australia Reconstructed', Kockums was identified as a noteworthy corporatist micromodelof industrial relations. 43 It thus appeared to offer the government the prospectof a highly desirable model of industry - stakeholder relations. In Parliament in 1992,Defence Minister Robert Ray read a departmental document that noted:the original decisions taken by Cabinet were based on long-term strategies for thenational interest…The greater part of the investment was to benefit Australia, notonly through job creation but also through technology transfer, creation of new skills,improved quality practices and … development of modern management techniquesand the introduction of new and more progressive industrial relations practices. 44It is, however, worth noting that as these features were entrenched in theAustralian Industry Involvement requirements for the project, both Kockums andHDW/IKL, as recipients of PDS contracts, were believed to be able to deliver in thisrespect. 45 And as the multi billion dollar enormity of the submarine project ensured ita prime place in Australia's new defence industry reconstruction, the appointment ofthe ASC could also flag the government's new road to Australian corporatistrelations. Indeed, Robert Ray envisaged ASC to 'become one of the two great navalshipbuilders in this country…ASC has plans to broaden out beyond submarines intothings like patrol boats, minehunters etc.' 46 Development of a robust shipbuildingindustry too, would be one manifestation of a strategic policy of self reliance andprovide one structure whereby Australia's quest for independence could be40 The Collins, however, rarely sailed with less than 55. More engineering sailors were required to crewthe boats. Information from interviewee.41 For further details please see, Royal Australian Navy, ‘Collins Class Submarines (SSG)', . Accessed November 2003. By 2000, Japan hadcommissioned the third of its 3,600-ton Oyashio-class submarines. See Japan Maritime Self DefenceForce (JMSDF), p. 4, < http://homepage.eircom.net/~steven/jmsdf.htm >. Accessed November 2003.42 ASC was originally owned by Kockums Pacific Pty Ltd (30 per cent shareholding), Chicago Bridgeand Iron Pty Ltd (US), (20 per cent), Wormald Pty Ltd (Australia), (25 per cent), and the AIDC, (25 percent). Government requirements were for majority Australian shareholding, hence AIDC and Wormald.Chicago Bridge and Iron was included for its expertise in large project management. However, it soondeparted from the project.43 Department of Trade, 'Australia Reconstructed', ACTU/TDC Mission to Western Europe, A Report bythe Mission Members to the ACTU and the TDC, AGPS, Canberra 1987, pp. 138-39 and p. 160.44 Robert Ray, Minister of Defence, CPD, Senate Hansard, 17 December 1992, p. 5411.45 Information from interviewee.46 Robert Ray, Senate Estimates Hansard, Programme 5, Strategic and Intelligence, 10 November1993, p. 209.