Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Hansard source

What we do know in terms of the contracts—sovereign control is, of course, critically important to Australia, as is maximising Australian industry involvement. We are currently in the design phase for these submarines, and I'm advised, to date, that there are over 130 Australian companies and organisations that are subcontracted. The actual proportion of Australian content on the submarines will be determined as the design of the submarines is completed. Australian small companies are vital to the construction of our submarines. And I'm committed—the Prime Minister's committed; we are all committed here—to building 12 submarines in this country using Australian industry content. We have faith in our Australian industry. We are backing Australian industry. We are building 12 submarines in our country, because we are going to create more shipbuilding jobs.

Opposition members interjecting—

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