Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

There is absolutely no doubt that I have raised the subject of submarine cooperation with the Japanese Prime Minister. It would be irresponsible of me not to raise the subject of defence and submarine cooperation with the Japanese Prime Minister, given that this country risks a serious submarine capability gap because members opposite sat on their hands for six years. This is yet another Labor mess that this government is having to fix up just like we have had to fix up the air warfare destroyer mess, which is two years behind schedule and $300 million dollars over budget. Absolutely, I have raised with the Prime Minister of Japan the subject of submarine cooperation as I should. Because my duty is to ensure that Australia has the best possible submarines for the best possible price when we need them.

I have not just raised this with the Prime Minister of Japan. I have equally raised this with President Hollande of France and I have equally raised this with Chancellor Merkel of Germany. We are exploring submarine cooperation with the countries that have the expertise to give us the submarines that we need. We are doing absolutely what a good government should because what we will never do is put the defence—

Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting—

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