A defence manufacturing decision which could give North-West firm Elphinstone Pty Ltd a lucrative boost will not be announced until after the federal election.
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It might be left to federal Labor, rather than the Coalition, depending on the result of the May 21 election.
There had been an expectation the Morrison Government would announce before now which of two rival bids had won a contract worth up to about $27 billion to build infantry fighting vehicles.
However, Braddon Liberal MHR Gavin Pearce on Wednesday said Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price had told him the announcement would be "left for after the election".
Mr Pearce said that was so the decision would not be "clouded" by the election.
He said it would be made for the right reasons, rather than politics.
If South Korean-linked Hanwha Defense Australia wins the contract, Elphinstone will construct hulls for the 450 vehicles, which would be assembled in Geelong.
If the rival bidder - German-linked Rheinmetall Defence Australia - wins, most of the jobs gains will be in the Ipswich area of Queensland.
Either choice would deliver jobs and investment in federal seats with potential to change hands in the election, while denying a boost to other possible swing seats.
Another North-West advanced manufacturer - the Jayben Group - is involved with a project to provide the the army with unmanned surveillance aircraft in a $650 million investment.
Brisbane-based Insitu Pacific won the contract and will work with various companies, including Jayben, to deliver the equipment.
Jayben signed at the end of March and had started its "background work" and design, director Allan Johnson said.
The company will redesign and modernise existing Insitu equipment to create what can be described as catapults and skyhooks to launch the aircraft without a need for runways.
Jayben general manager Chris Johnson said the project was expected to create 12 full-time equivalent jobs in Tasmania and support a range of contractors, with many of those firms also Tasmanian.
The manufacturing task in the first phase is expected to take two years, and the project is expected to be ongoing.
Insitu and Jayben are hopeful of securing a deal to make similar units for the navy.
Mr Pearce said he was "incredibly proud" of Jayben and other advanced manufacturers in the region.
"I see this as the first rung on the ladder," he said.
"These guys were chosen because they are the very best at what they do and can provide tolerances in excess of normal industry."
The uncrewed aircraft can carry a variety of equipment and cover a vast area.
Mr Pearce said one had flown from Canada to Scotland using less than 4 kilograms of fuel.