Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Senator Brandis. I refer to the Prime Minister's conflicting statements about building Australia's offshore patrol vessels. In Adelaide the Prime Minister said construction of our future naval fleet would be centred in South Australia. In Melbourne the Prime Minister said the construction would most likely start in South Australia but could move to Melbourne. Last week the Prime Minister said that Western Australia could bid for these vessels, an in the other place today he said that the patrol vessels may be moved from Adelaide in 2020. Which is it, minister? Will you give us a straight answer: where will these ships be built?