Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Materiel) Share this | Hansard source

The government is very focused on making sure that there have been lessons learned from the Collins program both in terms of acquisition and sustainment. We are in the business of acquiring future submarines as part of an ongoing capability development to ensure the protection of this country, and I think I am entitled to seek advice from the Liberal Party as to what their position is in these terms.

Four of the six Collins submarines are based in Western Australia. Two are in deep-level maintenance in Adelaide and the government has been assured by Navy that it is able to meet the requirements for the submarine availability to respond to operational needs. The submarine workforce can sustainably crew three submarines in Western Australia and the terms of the submarine availability, its roles and tasks are not discussed of course for obvious security reasons. But in terms of the approach that is being taken to the Collins fleet, we have a highly capable instrument for the defence of this country.

Collins class is fitted with the same advanced combat systems and torpedoes employed in the United States Navy. We are of course working closely with the United States in terms of the maintenance of that capability and, to maintain fleet proficiency, Australia and the United States submarine forces also work routinely together. So as far as the government is concerned, we are dealing with the issues that have arisen with Collins, we remain confident of the capabilities of the Collins submarine program and we look forward to the future development of the submarine program.