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

No—no chance!

As I advised the Senate a fortnight ago, I am not going to address the details of the Commonwealth government's most important commercial negotiations, which are underway right now. That is not the correct approach to take to an important commercial negotiation on that matter. But what we will do, and what I have consistently said and what the defence industry minister has consistently said—and the Prime Minister—is that we will adopt an ambitious approach, a positive approach, in relation to the engagement of Australian industry and Australian content in order to maximise it. Indeed, I note that the CEP was designed to maximise Australian industry involvement.

I also advise the Senate that Defence has concluded further discussions with DCNS, with agreements reflected in a deed of commitment from DCNS which was signed on 20 July this year. Last Wednesday I met with the French defence minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in Paris to discuss Australia's Future Submarine Program and the establishment of a very strong government-to-government framework to ensure its success. I also met with the chairman and chief executive officer of DCNS, Herve Guillou, and deputy chief executive officer Marie-Pierre de Bailliencourt to discuss the company's preparations to begin work in Australia. I am pleased to say that the Future Submarine Program is on schedule. Defence and DCNS will partner to begin designing Australia's future submarine later this year.