Andrew Nikolic (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Cost overruns on the Air Warfare Destroyer of plus-$360 million, and two years overdue. So, if you want to talk about legacies, I love talking about Labor's legacy when it comes to defence.

Labor's approach to defence projects was all about delay and obfuscation. It was about insufficient resources. It was about constantly changing plans. Who can ever forget that wonderful campaign promise by the former Leader of the Labor Party, Kevin Rudd, to move the entire Navy from Garden Island to Brisbane? Can we all remember that? If that is not ministerial irresponsibility, I do not know what is.

The results of Labor's inaction on things like the submarine project are plain for all to see: the potential for the Collins class submarines to reach the end of their usable life when the new subs are not ready. That is called a capability gap, and that is a capability gap that you cannot fill easily. The Leader of the Opposition says: 'If we were in government, here is what we would do with all these projects'. Well, you had six years, and what did you do? You ruined this country economically, diplomatically and militarily. So spare us your sanctimonious lectures. Admit your considerable failings and get out of our way as we fix your mess. (Time expired)

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