Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, didn't the government promise before the election to build Australia's future submarines in Adelaide? Will they be built there?

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

Where they are built depends upon the results of the competitive evaluation process. But I will tell you what—they will be built. If members opposite were still in government they would still be sitting on their hands, the procrastination would be continuing, and there would be a massive submarine capability gap at the end of the next decade.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Sydney has asked her question and will desist, as will the member for McMahon.

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

What we said pre-election was absolutely crystal clear—

Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, you would build 12 submarines in Adelaide.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Kingston is warned.

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

What we said was that the Australian work on the new submarines would centre on the South Australian shipyards. There will be more subs, because we take the defence of Australia seriously. There will be more subs because the defence of Australia matters to people on this side of the parliament, and more subs means more jobs in South Australia.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. It is difficult for the Prime Minister to be relevant without saying the word 'Adelaide'.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will resume his seat.