Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Johnston. I refer to the minister's personal denigration of the workers at ASC in question time yesterday when he stated 'I wouldn't trust them to build a canoe'. I also refer to the Prime Minister's repudiation of the Defence Minister when he said last night that the ASC 'plays a vital role supporting the Royal Australian Navy and our key naval capabilities'. Given that the Prime Minister's statement shows that he no longer has confidence in the defence minister, how can the minister continue in his role?