Japan happy to build submarines in Australia if it wins bid for $20bn project

Japan, one of the three bidders for Australia’s $20bn future submarine project, has signalled it is willing to perform construction work in Australia in a development that could ease community concerns about jobs going offshore.

The new industry minister, Christopher Pyne, whose South Australian seat had been under threat over the issue, said he was pleased the bidders were detecting the government’s preference to maximise the construction done in Australia.

The Coalition had been under political pressure in the key manufacturing state over accusations it was preparing to break an election promise to build the submarines domestically.

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