James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The plan contains Naval Group's proprietary information regarding submarine design, the manner in which it transfers technology to customers, and supply chain proposals for particular suppliers. If released, this information could disadvantage Naval Group and advantage its competitors in future tender processes. This could occur by revealing to competitors Naval Group's intellectual property regarding design and build of submarines and the methods it has developed to transfer its technology to other countries, which is of particular value to Naval Group as it competes for international programs. Disclosure could be expected to also damage Australia's international relations with France.

Question agreed to.