Jobs cut as Thales contract ends

A LACK of new contracts has resulted in twenty-nine employees at defence manufacturer Thales facing redundancy.

The French company, which builds armoured vehicles in Bendigo, was contracted by the Federal Government to make 1100 Hawkei vehicles.

According to a spokesperson for Thales, more orders could be made for the vehicle, as well as the Bushmaster which was most recently deployed in Ukraine.

“The last of the 1100 Hawkei protected vehicles manufactured for defence came off the production line earlier this month which means the facility will now have a period of reduced activity and a reduction in workforce,” the spokesperson said.

“Thales is working hard to secure export orders for both Bushmaster and Hawkei which if successful will generate job growth on site.”

The spokesperson also said excess staff are highly skilled and could be relocated within the company or offloaded to other local businesses.

“Our track record of delivering world’s best vehicles to Australian and export customers is a credit to our people,” the spokesperson said.

“The design and engineering skills in our Bendigo workforce are integral to Australia’s sovereign industrial capability in protected mobility vehicles.”

Members of the Bendigo Trades Hall Council called on the Federal Government to secure work immediately for Thales.

“It’s disappointing to see high skilled workers losing their jobs when the Government has been talking about a skills shortage,” president of the Bendigo Trades Hall Council, Michelle Jackson said.

Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said contract negotiations between the Federal Government and Thales are “ongoing”, however the responsibility should’ve been with the previous government.

“[They were] aware the contract to build Hawkeis for the ADF was coming to an end and had ample time to begin contract negotiations for more work for the site to keep the highly skilled workforce engaged,” she said.

The Thales Bendigo site currently employs 150 people.