Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

No, I cannot confirm that, because I certainly do not accept some of the statements made in the senator's question. This government has taken strong action to ensure that our defence forces will have the capability they require for the future—in particular, the naval capability they will require for the future. In seeking to deliver that naval capability, including future submarines, this government has also committed very significantly to ensure we build sovereign defence industry capability in this country as well.

The actions that we have taken stand in stark contrast to the inaction of those asking the questions in this regard. As a government, we have taken serious action to make sure that we commission the building of new defence infrastructure, new defence assets, new naval assets in this country, including future frigates and future submarines. We've done so in contrast to those opposite, who commissioned not one new Australian-built naval vessel. Our commitment is to make sure that these projects are delivered—delivered according to the time lines that have been announced, delivered according to the commitments around Australian industry capability. And our focus will be on ensuring, in that delivery, that we secure the value for money—