Perth 16 May 2016. A re-elected Turnbull Government will use Australian steel to build the first fleet of naval vessels commissioned in Australia since 2007.

The $282 million contract was signed on May 5 with Austal for its shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia, to replace the existing Pacific Patrol Boat fleet and is part of Australia’s new Pacific Maritime Security Program.

The contract to build and sustain 19 steel-hulled vessels will create over 120 jobs and secure Henderson as core to the re-elected Turnbull Coalition’s plan for jobs and growth.

Austal will use Australian high-tensile steel to build the Pacific Patrol Boats – reinforcing our commitment to Australian built ships, by Australian workers and with Australian steel.

The Turnbull Government is committed to maximising Australian industry across this project and all of our naval shipbuilding projects.

This is an important part of our plan for Western Australia, whose economy is transitioning away from a mining boom and into broader based growth.

This is the first fleet of naval vessels to be commissioned from an Australian shipyard since the Howard Government commissioned the Air Warfare Destroyers in 2007.

Labor, during their time in office, never commissioned a naval vessel from an Australian shipyard.

Australia has a fundamental strategic interest in the security and stability of Pacific island nations and the replacement Pacific Patrol Boats will continue our important contribution to this.

Our defence industry policy will secure an advanced defence manufacturing industry in Australia and create thousands of new hi-tech jobs.

It is part of our carefully structured plan to provide jobs and growth and a secure future for Australian families.