Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

in black and white on the television of Australia, and particularly South Australia. That is exactly what he said. That we will deliver these submarines from right here at ASC in South Australia. He said: The coalition today is committed to building 12 new submarines here in Adelaide.

It does not get any plainer than that in black and white. That is your defence minister conning the people, conning the people of South Australia and conning your electors about their promise and about what they were going to do with submarines in South Australia. That is why you should support this motion, Senator. That is exactly why you should, because this is a con job. Not 'might' build; not 'possibly' build. No, Senator Johnston said that the coalition will build 12 new submarines in Adelaide. I have jogged the Senate's memory by showing you the video clip live in colour of Senator Johnston making that commitment.

But what has happened since the election? The opposition has asked the defence minister seven times in the Senate to recommit to his pre-election promise. He has refused every single time. Seven times—and refused every single time. And what about the government's South Australian senators? Silence. What about those who made a contribution recently from the government? Silence, as well. While you may have failed to win Liberal Party preselection, I am told by some of those opposite—I have lost count of how many—you are not a government senator. You have the opportunity to hold this government to its promise—