The AMWU has welcomed an announcement by Defence Minister Stephen Smith that 101 Bendigo Bushmasters have been ordered for deployment in Afghanistan.

AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver said the purchase would provide security for hundreds of regional Victorian jobs and make Aussie troops safer. 

“It’s great news for those workers who manufacture the important, life-saving personnel carrier that is the Bushmaster. It represents a vote of confidence in their world class skills and will no doubt be welcomed by the troops themselves.”

The union, which represents the 300 Thales workers who make the Bushmaster in Bendigo, has been at the forefront of a campaign to keep Aussie army vehicles made locally.  

“This is a significant step forward in the AMWU’s campaign. We now call on the Defence Minister to award the contract for the next generation of army utilities (LAN 121) to Thales.” 

The AMWU understands the latest Bushmaster contract will provide an additional 12 months of work for the Bendigo plant. Should the LAN 121 contract be awarded to Thales, the future of the plant will be secured for a further two years. 

Mr Oliver said the Union would continue the campaign to ensure the Federal Government supports local defence manufacturing. 

“Australia may not be a big player in defence manufacturing, but what we make is internationally respected. The Bushmaster is proof of that. We hope our Defence Department recognises that you can’t comprise on quality.

“What is good for our economy is also good for our troops.”