Mark Bishop (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate in his capacity as Minister for Finance and Administration, Senator Minchin. I refer the minister to Treasury secretary Ken Henry’s speech on 9 February when he said that the Defence procurement rules provide protection for taxpayers if they are followed correctly. Didn’t Mr Henry go on to warn:

Just keep in mind how exposed you might be if and when the whole thing turns pear-shaped and the world learns that you have flouted the post-Kinnaird procurement guidelines?

Can the minister confirm that he was not consulted prior to the defence minister’s announcement on 1 February that he wanted to buy 24 Super Hornet combat aircraft? Given that the two-pass procurement guidelines were not followed in this instance and the $4 billion cost is not in the Defence Capability Plan, what guarantees do taxpayers have that this acquisition will not go pear-shaped?