Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

This is a very important question, because Australia does require a sovereign submarine capability so that we can maintain and sustain this vital strategic asset without undue reliance on other parties, other countries, no matter how close or far they are from us for that sustainment and maintenance.

The decision to adopt an Australian build best ensures that we have sovereign control over the future submarine. It will ensure we establish and maintain a capable industry base, and the necessary skills in Australia from day one means that the engineers and the welders who build the submarines will be the same ones who end up maintaining and sustaining the future submarines.

On the basis of that important sovereign capability and the significant flow-on benefits to local industry, the government made the decision that an Australian build was the most appropriate decision to deliver that long-term sovereign submarine sustainability.