Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Fawcett for his question. The strategic benefits of this decision are extremely important. As well as our decision being based on capability and national security, I would note that in the 2016 defence white paper, we established that submarines are an essential part of Australia's naval capability which provide a strategic advantage in terms of surveillance and protection of our maritime approaches. In making this decision, we have decided to double the size of Australia's submarine fleet from six to 12 in recognition of the more challenging maritime environment that we expect to see in the decades ahead.

As I said in my answer to Senator Reynolds earlier, our decision to build the future submarines here in Australia was also based on capability and national security. Australia must have the sovereign ability to operate and maintain its fleet of submarines independent of any other nation. It is through the design and build process that we will gain the skills and the knowledge that are required to ensure we have the systems in place in the decades to come to independently sustain and operate our unique submarines.

Building the submarines here in Australia also gives us the opportunity and enables us to establish the absolutely critical supply chains that we will need for both the build and sustainment phases of this over 50-year project. The initial investments that we make now for an Australian build will result in a long-term return and give us the opportunity to develop a submarine capability to meet our strategic needs in the future. The government has been very clear in prioritising capability as the key reason for the decision we have made. We will not risk Australia's national security nor or economic strength and prosperity. In making this decision, we have acted decisively and clearly in the national interest. (Time expired)