Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. Can the minister explain why she counts nights in the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort as Australian industry content for the Future Submarines?

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

I thank the member for his question. Our $50 billion investment in the Future Submarine program has economy-wide benefits that extend beyond the defence industry—that goes to the answer to the question from the member opposite—and this includes businesses and organisations that were mentioned by the member opposite. Some of those businesses will contribute to the capability of this program, that is for sure—if you looked at the list. But we will also receive investment in a whole raft of different organisations.

This investment across the Australian economy will support Aussie jobs in the decade ahead. That is for sure. This is a generational job-creating program. In my eyes, any investment in Australian companies is a good investment. That's what a long-term investment will deliver us: guaranteed Aussie jobs and opportunities for small businesses.

Mr Speaker, you might have heard: last night, the Minister for Defence and also the Naval Group announced a commitment of at least 60 per cent AIC in the Future Submarine program. That is what we should be celebrating today. That is what we should be doing. We will achieve beyond that 60 per cent AIC. As the Vice President of Naval Group said last night—

Dr Chalmers interjecting—

Ms Plibersek interjecting—

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

The member for Rankin is warned! The member for Sydney is warned!

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

this government is a demanding customer, and I wear that as a badge of honour. We are a demanding customer because, when we are a demanding customer, we are backing small defence industry and medium defence industry in this country. We will maximise the Australian industry involvement, because that is the contractual objective. We are backing Australian businesses every day and every night.

Ms Plibersek interjecting—

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

The member for Sydney has been warned.