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

To deliver the Force Structure Plan this government understands we need strong and enduring partnerships with Australian industry, and I am very proud to be part of a government that has unashamedly backed in Australian Defence Industry and the capability of Australian workers. The vast majority of the Defence budget is spent right here in Australia: 32 per cent on the salaries of over 116,000 Australian personnel; 30 per cent on sustainment, which is mostly spent right here across Australia; and 34 per cent investment in new capability, which increasingly, as a result of our government's very deliberate policies, is being spent here in Australian industry. Over 15,000 Australian companies and 70,000 Australians are now benefiting directly from our investment in Defence. That number is growing rapidly even during the COVID period.