Election announcements

Think of the Australian govt., it has the the following aims:

* 'The Government is delivering a long-term plan for Australia’s naval shipbuilding industry to ensure the retention of a sovereign Australian shipbuilding industry and the jobs that go with it.'

* 'Government is establishing a continuous build production line for smaller navy vessels. This will commence with construction of a fleet of 12 offshore patrol vessels to replace the Armidale Class patrol boats, with construction to start in 2018'

* 'Patrol vessel projects will sustain around 1,000 jobs over the next few years'

While nothing is certain in a competitive process, given the govt. will select (France / Germany / Japan) for the submarines, this places ASB in a fantastic position to pick up the patrol vessels (i.e. experience in US, Australian-based company).

An announcement will be pre-election (to secure SA / WA jobs). Seems like a speculative position is warranted (given ASB has no debt, and is still ~50% of its highs).