Slade Brockman (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry, Senator Reynolds. I congratulate her on her elevation to cabinet. It's great to have another strong Western Australian in cabinet. Minister, how is the government's economic plan to build a stronger economy and a secure future allowing for landmark investments in Australian defence capability in order to keep Australians safe?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Brockman for his question on defence industry. I acknowledge his commitment to defence industry in our home state of Western Australia—a true champion. There is no senator or minister prouder than I am today of this government's record on supporting defence. Over the last six years the Liberal-National government has worked to recover and rebuild defence following six years of Labor failure and utter neglect. On this side of the chamber we made a commitment to increase defence spending to two per cent of GDP. We're sticking to it and we are on track to deliver that in the 2020-21 financial year. In 2016 the Liberal-National government released the 2016 Defence white paper and committed to invest over $200 billion into defence capability. Through that we are already supporting over 30,000 jobs right here in Australia. There are now over 3½ thousand SMEs working in the defence industry sector.

All this is possible because of our economic plan to build a stronger economy and a more secure future for all Australians. The Liberal-National government committed to the Naval Shipbuilding Plan to escape from Labor's 'valley of death' and to meet the capability requirements of the Royal Australian Navy. We are investing $90 billion into the Naval Shipbuilding Plan. We on this side of the chamber have commissioned 54 new Australian vessels to be built between Henderson in Western Australia and Osborne in South Australia. This plan is creating thousands of jobs throughout Australia. These are multigenerational jobs. The government is also investing $5 billion in Australia's marine patrol capabilities—new aircraft to keep our borders and our nation safe. There are a further 1,450 jobs right throughout— (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Brockman, a supplementary question.

Slade Brockman (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for her answer. Minister, how is the government securing Australia's future by creating a sovereign defence industry to deliver this capability?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Brockman. Our government is securing Australia's future by creating a sovereign defence industry to deliver on vital capability for the ADF. That will keep Australians safe and create new, multigenerational jobs for Australians. We are maximising the involvement of Australian defence industry SMEs to deliver this capability. As I've just said, over 3½ thousand SMEs are now providing support to the ADF through the supply chain. We are maximising their involvement. Just last week I visited Joe and Joel Nevin from Blacktree Technology's brand new facility in Belmont, Western Australia, and announced our government's defence policy for industry participation. Their business is an outstanding example of how a competitive, local SME in WA and right across this nation can thrive in defence industry. Blacktree Technology's innovation and communication technologies are— (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Brockman, a final supplementary question.

Slade Brockman (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's great to hear that our small and medium enterprises across Australia are benefiting. Minister, can you outline to the Senate any threats to the government's plan to continue strengthening our defence capability and securing our future?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Brockman for his question and I can certainly see, right across this chamber, the greatest threat we have to our defence capability in Australia. You only have to look at their past record. I know they don't want to talk about this, because what was their record? First of all, how many new ships or vessels did those opposite commission in six years of government? Absolutely zero. Not only that; when Labor are at the helm, they pose a real threat to our defence industry and capability. Guess how many defence projects those opposite cancelled when they were in government.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How many?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those opposite cancelled 119 projects when in government. In addition, 43 projects were degraded and eight projects were cancelled altogether. And now Richard Marles is going to run the ruler over the submarine program, and we all know what that means: the second valley of death. (Time expired)