Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

NEUMANN () (): My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government cleaning up the mess left by the former government when it comes to our greatest defence capability, our Defence personnel?

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

I thank the member for his question and acknowledge his significant contribution to the defence policy of our government. On 10 March last year, the former government, led by the member for Cook, along with the Leader of the Opposition, announced an increase in our Defence Force personnel of 18½ thousand by 2040. The announcement was made at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, with all the hoopla in tow. The member for Cook described this as the single-biggest peacetime build-up of our Defence Force in our nation's history, and he said: 'It's not just about the dollars you invest or the support you provide. It's the instinct that you have.' You can almost hear him saying it, because, for those opposite, it was all about the vibe of the thing.

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Tell us about the super vibe!

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

They really were the Dennis Denuto of defence policy! There was not a photocopier in Russell that was safe!

Opposition members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, members on my left!

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

When it came to national security policy, they were about as convincing—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, the member for Groom!

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

because this was an announcement without a skerrick of delivery. When you look at their record in government and the legacy which they left us, it could not have been more different. In 2020, the Defence Strategic Update rightly observed that Australia now sat within the 10-year threat window, an important observation to make, but they did nothing about it. In fact, they put the Defence Force on a slide. From that moment on, the Defence Force reduced in size. During the time that the Leader of the Opposition—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Prime Minister will resume his seat.

The member for McEwan—

Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can we have a lesson on super while you're there?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for Fisher, I'm trying to hear from the Manager of Opposition Business. I give him the call.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, the question began by asking about what the Albanese Labor government is doing. We're now, in fact, one minute and 45 seconds in, and his time has been spent entirely on what the previous government did.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Resume your seat. The question was about how the government is cleaning up the mess left by the former government. That was the first part of the question relating to defence and Defence personnel.

The member for Longman should not give commentary when I'm giving a ruling! The Deputy Prime Minister is in order, and I ask him to continue his answer.

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

When the Leader of the Opposition was the Minister for Defence, the Defence Force shrank by 1,400 people. That was his vibe. It's a challenge for this country, but it's a challenge this government is going to fix.