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

I do believe that that question goes somewhat beyond my area of portfolio responsibility. However, let me assist Senator Conroy. As I have indicated, the government has not yet made a decision in relation to the procurement of submarines. The government is committed to getting the best possible submarines at the best possible price in order to get the best possible defence outcome, the best possible national security outcome. Of course, in doing so, we are following proper process, and that proper process will involve a competitive evaluation of the various options available to the government.

This is not a procurement of some paper, this is not a procurement of some food or drinks; this is a procurement of some significant defence infrastructure, and we will be going through the proper process and it will be done in a competitive evaluation way.