David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I am pleased to confirm we have announced a number of important Defence commitments over the last nine months. The coalition will ensure that Australia has the military capability to deter threats and to project force into our neighbourhood. We would never—as Labor has—unfairly and irresponsibly gamble with the security of future Australians by underfunding Defence investment over the long term.

The Abbott government has announced decisions relating to acquiring 58 fabulous joint strike fighters, acquiring the Triton broad area maritime unmanned surveillance aerial vehicle, acquiring P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, bringing forward preliminary engineering and design work necessary to keep open the option of building the Future Frigate in Australia, bringing forward the Pacific Patrol Boat program, restarting the ADF Gap Year program, indexing military superannuation and providing free basic health care to all ADF family members. We are getting on with the job of fixing this portfolio. (Time expired)