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

There is no change in relation to the role of ASC, which the finance minister, the Minister for Defence Industry and I very clearly set out in the separation process. The workforce that is required for ASC for the continuation of Collins class sustainment has not changed. We will be building on the submarine workforce in Adelaide because we have to build on the submarine workforce in Adelaide to sustain the Collins class submarine and to build the Future Submarine. We have ensured that DCNS as the build-and-design business for the Future Submarine provides the capability that we need to produce the best, most regionally superior submarine we can. That is the very direct focus of the government.

But we have to build on the submarine workforce, not diminish it—grow it. It is not that difficult to understand, even if you were not capable of commissioning one single ship in the entire time you were in government. We will be building on the submarine workforce in Adelaide— (Time expired)