The company is considered the front runner for the contract to build the Hawkei light protected mobility vehicles to replace part of the military's ageing Land Rover PMV fleet.

Ms D'Ambrosio visited the Bendigo Thales on Wednesday for a tour of the plant and an inspection of Thales' military vehicles, including the Bushmaster truck. She said the government was committed to increasing jobs in Victoria, and Defence manufacturing was an industry with much potential for growth.

“We are very committed to trumpeting the importance of businesses such as this to the survival of our economy, to regional Victoria," she said.

"But what these businesses all need, what they all have in common, is Tony Abbott providing certainty through Defence procurement and ensuring there is a constant flow of work that is made available to Australian businesses, to Victorian businesses.”

"We are going to leave no stone unturned as a state government to keep talking up and celebrating and championing the capability of the businesses and the supply chain of businesses."

Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters reiterated Ms D'Ambrosio's message, saying it was "time for Tony Abbott to sign that contract".

Ms Chesters said a Labor federal government would prioritise locally-made defence products, but stopped short of saying all products commissioned would be made in Australia.

“Labor is committed to make sure if we’re in government local manufacturing is our priority," she said.

A spokeswoman for Defence Minister Kevin Andrews said the government supported Australian-made equipment wherever possible, "so long as they are the best for defence and at a competitive price".

She said the federal government would make a final decision regarding the Hawkei vehicle contract this year, but praised Thales Bendigo's capabilities.

"The workers at Thales in Bendigo have proven to be world leaders in delivering the iconic Bushmaster vehicle to meet ADF requirements."