Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Carr, move:

That—

(a) the Senate notes that:

  (i) the SEA 1000 Future Submarine project, a project that aims to deliver Australia a regionally superior future submarine capability, is likely to be the most expensive and complex project ever undertaken by the Commonwealth of Australia,

  (ii) failures that occur in complex projects are often attributed to decisions made in the commencement phase of the project, and

  (iii) there is an accepted need for transparency in Government contracts; and

(b) there be laid on the table by the Minister for Defence, by the start of business on 24 November 2016, the Design and Mobilisation Contract signed between the Commonwealth of Australia and DCNS on 30 September 2016.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government opposes this motion because the contract contains commercially sensitive information that it could be contrary to the public interest to disclose. This includes commercial strategies, fee price structures, and details of intellectual property which would be of significant commercial value. Given the strategic nature of the Future Submarine Program, there is also cause to consider the damage to Australia's international relations that could arise in connection with the release of the Design and Mobilisation Contract.

Question agreed to.