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

I thank Senator Gichuhi for her question because this government, the Liberal-National government, is making an unprecedented $200 billion investment in defence capability over the next decade. The government will grow the defence budget to two per cent of GDP by 2020-21, two years ahead of our election commitment in 2013. We are able to make these investments because of our prudent economic management. This is a commitment which will give the Australian Defence Force members the equipment they need to operate effectively well into the future.

In shipbuilding alone, we are getting on with the building of our 12 Future Submarines, nine Hunter class frigates, 12 offshore patrol vessels and 21 Guardian class patrol boats. We're investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the infrastructure required in preparation for the build and use of these naval vessels. That includes over $1.5 billion of investment in Western Australia at a number of facilities and $535 million at the Osborne South Naval Shipyard, with further redevelopment to occur at the Osborn north submarine yard, also creating hundreds of jobs in that process. We're investing in the build and sustainment of the cutting-edge Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles, with construction to be based in Queensland. We've also continued to invest in the acquisition of 72 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, the first two of which will arrive in Australia next week, a momentous occasion.

I could continue. Briefly, the Poseidon, the Triton maritime surveillance aircraft system, the Reaper remotely piloted aircraft—all of this is possible because of our strong economic management and our commitment to growing our economy and creating jobs.