Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

As I've said, I welcomed the commitment for 60 per cent, but it is very important to remember the stage that this project is up to. The project is still in the design phase. Even in the design phase, we've had many expressions of interest. We've had 1,500 expressions of interest, and several thousand companies are looking to work with Naval Group.

However, as those opposite would know, when you are designing your house or any other property, if you are still in the design phase you do not go out and get commitments and contracts to deliver supplies before you actually know what you want. At the moment, we are in the design phase of this project. Naval Group will start going out and looking at contracts in 2023. (Time expired)