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

Again, I thank Senator Bernardi for the question. As you know, I have been a strong advocate for maintaining shipbuilding in Australia. Indeed, there is a Senate report from about 2006 that sets that out. Unlike Labor, the government's interest has been in action rather than rhetoric; in decisions, not doorstops. The government has funded $78.2 million—remember we have only spent $60 million of the $214 million for submarines—and work is now underway to bring forward preliminary engineering and design deliverables that help us to understand how to build future frigates in Australia—in South Australia. This will focus on the continued production of the current AWD hull using cutting-edge Australian companies, including our own indigenous radar electronic system. In parallel, the government is reviewing Australia's shipbuilding requirements, capabilities and capacities in order to inform a long-term strategic plan.