Here’s the full note written by Kim Gillis… I haven’t had time to read the whole thing but certainly he seems like one of the best positioned experts to talk about the history of the Attack program.Leaked document sheds light on cancellation of French subs contract
A leaked confidential document gives an insider's perspective on how the Morrison government went about cancelling the French submarine contract, highlighting how officials running the contract were kept in the dark.www.abc.net.au
I was a member of the Naval Group Australia Board since January 2021 and resigned as an Independent Director of Naval Group Australia on the 30th of June this year. I write this to you in my personal capacity to the last few remaining NGA staff members and to those who have left the business.
For some context, I retired four years ago as the Deputy Secretary CASG. I am in the unique position of having been involved in the Competitive Evaluation Process (CEP), the decision to select Naval Group, the negotiations of the contract and SPA and as an Independent Director for Naval Group Australia. After I retired from Defence, I was asked by
MINDEF to return to assist in finalising the negotiations between Naval Group France and Defence so that the Strategic Partnering Agreement (SPA) could be signed.
I was asked by Pierre Éric Pommellet to join the Naval Group Board in late December 2020 as an independent Director. I accepted that offer with some trepidation because like many of you, much of what I had heard or read about the program in the media was negative. I was however so impressed with Pierre Éric and the calibre of my fellow directors that I decided to accept the role. And like many of you I was excited about the challenge of being involved Australia’s most complex and challenging program.
The purpose of this note is twofold firstly to express my pride in NGA’s contribution to the submarine program and to recognise the sacrifices that each one you and your families have made. Secondly, I would like to provide you with a personal perspective into the schedule and cost blowout commentary that contributed to the decision made by the Government in 2020. These are my own views and may not reflect the views of the any of the ex Naval Group Australia Board or even the Board of Naval Group France.
(Continues in linked document)
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