Cory Bernardi (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Acting Deputy President Edwards, before I address some of the other issues that Senator Cameron raised, may I take a point that Senator Cameron raised with regard to your own contribution to fighting for South Australia's industrial base and submarines. Senator Cameron—in true Scottish, pessimistic style—has decided to attack one of the individuals that have been fighting for a fair go for South Australia. From my point of view, I was satisfied that it was important to get good value for taxpayers' money in building the submarines, and I was satisfied that there was going to be a guarantee that South Australia would have more jobs as a result of the decision that the government was taking. I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with an open tender, because I want to see the best value for Australian taxpayers. I have no problem whatsoever with the government making a decision that they think is in the best interests of taxpayers, as long as South Australia is better off.

The problem that we have is people over the other side, who were economic vandals in their own governance of this country, who hate to see taxpayers' money being spent fairly and wisely and not thrust about in a cavalier manner for all sorts of ridiculous projects that have put us on a debt—