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

Australia's Defence requirements require the best possible capability that we can provide. We have been bequeathed a boat, the Collins class submarine, that was sold to the Australian public on the basis that it was reliable and low in cost to maintain. It has been little short of a disaster. Indeed, retired Rear Admiral Briggs has been an advocate for a son of Collins. Son of Collins was one of your last remaining options. That was laden with fantasy because no work has been done. At $1 billion a year with one or two boats infrequently in the water, I do not want a son of Collins; I want something that gives Navy some capability, which they have been desperately seeking for such a long time. (Time expired)