Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Senator, I think there are a couple of things I'd say. First, you shouldn't believe every rumour you hear. More importantly, I certainly am not going to comment on what may or may not have happened in any NSC meeting, but I would say, in relation to this procurement, that we understand the importance of this procurement.

As I said in my primary answer, we were very transparent with the various bidders about the nature of the assessment that was going to be made. Of course, commentators will talk about the importance of particular strategic relationships, but ultimately our job as a government is to make sure we procure the capability that the Defence Force needs. And that is the approach the minister is taking.