Andrew Southcott (Boothby, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence announced the build location for the offshore patrol vessels and the up to 21 Pacific patrol boats, in addition to the nine future frigates already announced. This announcement has been very well received in South Australia—by the Premier, Jay Weatherill; by Chris Burns at Defence Teaming Centre; and by the Adelaide Advertiser. The three projects represent a $40 billion investment in our naval shipbuilding industry and secure 2½ thousand jobs into the future.

In the defence white paper, the government made a commitment to a continuous build of naval surface ships which were central to the government's naval shipbuilding plan. The announcement yesterday provides two shipyards to implement our commitment. The major warships will be built in Osborne, in Adelaide, and the minor vessels in Western Australia.

What the government has had to deal with is the sad fact that Labor, in six years of government, never signed one contract for one naval vessel—not one. They talked a big game, they talked a very big game, but never delivered, like a lot of other things Labor talk about doing.

The Turnbull government are delivering. We are now delivering on offshore patrol vessels and future frigates, and I look forward to further announcements to come.

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

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.