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

Senator Xenophon, the F-35A is the most capable and affordable aircraft to meet Australia's needs well into the future, and that view has recently been confirmed on a bipartisan basis, I might say, by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. In his Senate confirmation hearing in the United States the now Secretary of Defense, General Mattis, said: 'The President has talked about the cost of the Joint Strike Fighter, but has in no way shown a lack of support for the program. He just wants to get the best bang for the buck.'

This approach is already reaping benefits. In early February the price for the next lot of Joint Strike Fighters for the first time was set below US$100 million. It is expected that these prices will continue to come down as production increases and further productivity gains are realised.