Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

The government, as we always have been, are committed to purchasing the best possible submarines at the best possible price to maximise on the national security benefit for Australia. In doing so, we have always said that we would pursue defence policy outcomes in the first instance and that we would be seeking to achieve value for money. What the Prime Minister has explained to colleagues, and what has been made public in recent days, is that we are committed in that context to go through a proper process which includes a competitive evaluation process. That is all that has been said. Now, this is—

Honourable senators interjecting—