John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is directed to Senator Minchin as Minister for Finance and Administration and representing the Prime Minister. I refer the minister to the project to upgrade the Navy’s guided missile frigates, originally intended to deliver six fully upgraded, mission capable warships. Is the minister aware that the government canned the upgrade of the two oldest ships in November 2003 because of the massive delays that were already being experienced? Can the minister confirm that former minister Robert Hill said at the time that the contract would be renegotiated to account for the fact that only four ships would be upgraded, instead of the planned six? Can the minister confirm that, as a result of those so-called ‘negotiations’, taxpayers will still pay the full price of the upgrade? Can the minister now explain why he thinks it is a good deal to get four upgraded ships for the price of six?