House debates Questions without Notice

Defence: Naval Vessels

Wednesday, 26 November 2014 House of Representatives

Tony Zappia

Tony Zappia Makin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Manufacturing

2:23 pm

My question is also to the Prime Minister. Last week, the CEO of ASC confirmed to the Senate that Australia's future submarines can be built in Adelaide at a competitive price. Given that the Minister for Defence refused to have a competitive tender process for this project, will the Prime Minister now sack the Minister for Defence?

Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister

I do thank the member for his question, but I think he should go back and have another look at the facts because the government is still considering this issue. The government is still considering this issue, and this suggestion that things have been ruled out is simply false. It is simply false.