David Feeney (Batman, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Justice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence. Does the minister stand by his statement on Monday about the Prime Minister:

To bring on a leadership challenge within days - what is it, five days - of an important Canning by-election shows a lack of judgment in my view, and reinforces why Mr Turnbull didn't remain leader last time he was.

Is the minister concerned by what this lack of judgement will mean for government policies?

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Labor Party never learns. Here they are this week, question after question, wasting an opportunity to ask questions about the real issues facing the people of Australia. If you were interested in the people of Canning as you suggested in your question then you might be asking things which actually go to the people of Canning's interests such as the economic prosperity of this country, such as the safety and the security of the people of this country. But none of that comes from the members opposite. In the safety and security of this country, the candidate for Canning, Andrew Hastie, is someone who has put himself on the line for the people of this country. That is why we take the safety and security of the citizens of this country so strongly and so significantly.

That is why, for example, we have put in a continuous build—

Ms Chesters interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for Bendigo, that is your final warning.

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

of surface ships in Australia. That is why, for example, in relation to submarines we have put a competitive evaluation process in place. I see that one of the bidders has said that they can build a significant part of a submarine here in Australia—some 70 to 80 per cent. That means that we are going to have more jobs and a significant part of that build—perhaps 70 to 80 per cent—of submarines built here in Australia.

Ms Rishworth interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Kingston will cease interjecting.

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

So submarines, frigates, offshore patrol vessels—all of these things being done because we are looking after the safety and the security of the people of Australia.

And what does that mean? That means that they are safe. It is good for Defence, it is good for all these industries around the country who are contributing to the defence industry in this country and, beyond that, it is good for jobs, workers and ordinary families of Australia. If you were concerned about ordinary families in Australia, you would be asking some questions about that, but all we get is more of this insider nonsense.

Opposition members: Your words!

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members opposite will cease interjecting.

Mr Burke interjecting—

The Manager of Opposition Business will cease interjecting.

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can hardly hear myself speak. As happens from time to time in politics, there are challenges that occur. They occur on both sides of the fence, and committed people say things in those challenges, but what we are doing under the leadership of the Prime Minister, as a broad church, as a party representing conservative and liberal values—as that broad church—is getting on with the job of representing the people of Australia. Pity you're not thinking about them!

Honourable members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The chamber is far too loud. Those who have been warned: I will not hesitate to take action. It is far too loud.