THALES representatives have pulled out all stops to woo senior federal government ministers.Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare visited the Bendigo manufacturer yesterday.Thales is waiting on the outcome of a multi-million dollar contract but yesterday the ministers were unable to set a date for a decision.“This (the Bushmaster) is one of the examples of proven Australian Defence Force contribution and production,” Mr Smith said.“As I said, the success of the Bushmaster holds Thales and Bendigo in good stead and in good order for other projects.“But given we are in a competitive bidding arrangement where choices have to be made, it is not appropriate for me go into the merits one way or another.“I can understand why people in Bendigo, the workforce here and in general want a decision sooner rather than later.“In the end people will have a decision and they can judge the government and the government’s reasons for the decision at the time and I am not expecting that will be too far away.”Thales is short-listed against European vehicles MAN and Mercedes-Benz for another defence contract.The Department of Defence was expected to recommend a supplier earlier this year but an announcement could still be another month or more away.Mr Smith addressed workers at Thales’ Bendigo depot before meeting with guests behind closed doors.Thales chief executive officer Chris Jenkins presented Mr Smith with a Bushmaster keyring to thank him for his visit.The trip was in honour of the 800th Bushmaster vehicle coming off the production line.The 800th vehicle burst through a celebratory banner with musical accompaniment, attracting applause from the hundreds of people present.The ministers joined with Federal Bendigo MP Steve Gibbons and cut a cake to celebrate the occasion.The federal government ordered an additional 101 Bushmaster vehicles earlier this year.Mr Smith said Thales would have built 838 Bushmasters in Bendigo for the federal government once it delivered the 101 new vehicles.