Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

With respect to Senator Xenophon, his question did have a very long preamble, and I am dealing with the preamble in relation to the suggestions made. In relation to the Defence Materiel Organisation, I have no advice as to whether that was said or not said or whether that is their view. However, I can share with Senator Xenophon that the Prime Minister's, and the government's, view is that any Australian company that can credibly meet the requirements will be considered on merit—as will potential international partners—in this very important task of creating a defence capability of submarines. Irrespective of how that occurs, there will be huge job opportunities in the shipbuilding sector and the ship maintenance sector of the South Australian economy. Something that should never be overlooked as we go about this very important and, if I might say, very expensive acquisition is that we do the right thing by the nation's defence needs and also by taxpayers' dollars and, of course, that we do everything that we can to ensure jobs in South Australia.