Ship project preference

Press, 20 October 1987, Page 17

Ship project preference

Political reporter The preferred arrangements for the new A.N.Z.C. ship project have been announced by the Minister of Defence, Mr Tizard, and his Australian counterpart, Mr Kim Beazley. They said 13 groups had registered in the project and these groups were being encouraged to rearrange themselves. All 13 groups would be contacted and invited to reconsider their original arrangements. From their final proposals, the Ministers said, two consortiums would be invited to tender for the construction of the ships in Australia. It was hoped to announce the chosen two by the end of the year. Mr Beazley said the Australian Government was anxious to create a balanced, competitive environment for the project, consistent with the Shipbuilding policies announced in April. Mr Tizard said the New Zealand Government supported this approach as a way of enabling New Zealand companies to become associated with the project. The most important side effects for New Zealand industry would be acquiring technology and becoming familiar with quality systems and defence work, he said. Important considerations in selecting the consortiums would be their financial, technical and managerial strengths pliis access to suitable shipbuilding facilities, the two Ministers said.