David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 29 April 2011:

Given that it was stated at the Submarine Institute of Australia Conference in 2010 that the design experience of the United Kingdom, with regard to their future submarines, was greatly enhanced by having significant input from groups who would potentially be involved in the servicing of the submarines: what involvement have such groups had in the SEA 1000 project to date, and/or in the future.

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

A key lesson learned from the Collins Program is that insufficient attention was paid to supportability during the design phase. It is intended that suitably experienced companies will be engaged during the design and development of the Future Submarines to minimise the likelihood of sustainment issues.