George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Conroy, this government has a lot of respect for Mr Tony Shepherd. Mr Shepherd has been the subject of repeated vilification and abuse from those on your side of the chamber, so I am very surprised to see you invoking his name. Nevertheless, the answer to your question is: we are determined to ensure that Australians get the best value for money, and we are determined to ensure that the future submarine program is based on the best interests of the Australian people. That is what we are going to do. It is for that reason that we are going through a competitive evaluation process to assess who is the best international partner to partner with Australian industry in the construction of the future submarine. Senator Conroy, I see you shaking your head. Well might you shake your head when you reflect upon the record of the government in which you served when it came to the future submarine, because, Senator Conroy, for six years your government did nothing—not a thing—to advance the future Australian submarine, therefore opening up a capability gap into the future. During the six years of your Labor government not one warship was commenced at any Australian shipyard—not one. Senator Conroy, when the Abbott government came into office, we found the submarine program delayed by six years and the air warfare destroyer commenced by the Howard government way behind and way behind budget as a result of you. (Time expired)