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

As I said yesterday, I think in response to a question from Senator Reynolds, one of the most important aspects of the decision the government has made in relation to an Australian build for the 12 Future Submarines in Adelaide relates to the capacity to develop a sovereign capability for ourselves—that is, the capacity to sustain and maintain submarines without the need for reliance externally. That is a fundamental aspect of the importance of our decision making in that regard. I indicate to the Senate that, as the capability is developed—as the training, the jobs, the high-technology and the innovation requirements are brought together in the design process—we will have a multiple-decade plan for the sustainment and maintenance of these submarines, let alone the build. That will give us a very strong capability and a very strong foundation on which to continue to operate that capability.

Senator Conroy interjecting—

I am not sure what Senator Conroy's interjection mean. Perhaps he is planning something else for the Labor Party. (Time expired)