Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

Our relationship with the French government is key to our approach to security across the Indo-Pacific and supporting the Future Submarine program. The documents requested in this motion were subject to an FOI request in 2020 regarding Naval Group's Australian industry commitment. Electronic communications were excluded from the lease on the grounds that it would or could reasonably be expected to cause damage to international relations with the Commonwealth.

The disclosure of electronic messages requested in this motion would be in contravention of the well-established Senate recognition of public interest immunity concerning prejudice to Australia's international relations. Releasing these messages could harm our relationship with France, inhibit future flow of confidential information and weaken Australia's bargaining position in international engagement and negotiations in the future. Work to amend the strategic partnering agreement to reflect Naval Group's commitment to spend at least 60 per cent of its contract value in Australia is currently being negotiated.