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

I thank the senator for the question. This, firstly, is not a hysterical issue that seeks to put national security interests ahead of Labor union mates' interests. The government's approach, as I have said on several occasions, is that in order to seek to prevent a capability gap, the government will follow the Kinnaird reforms to Defence procurement. It is interesting to note—because I was quite surprised to find this when I had a look back over the records—that, since July 2007, 77 major Defence acquisitions were completed by the Labor Party. Of the 77, 70 per cent were single-source procurements. That is, there was no tender. They just simply went to the contract.

I have said that what we will do is—in the ordinary course of business, as we have always done—a first and second pass process that is open and transparent. It is clear that Labor has said more on submarines in the last six weeks than ever they did in six years. Because of inaction, ignorance and a lack of understanding of the need to have—