Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. Will the minister outline to the House why it is important for the Morrison government to provide a stable and certain approach to our defence industry? How does this approach differ from alternative policies?

Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Herbert for his question and for his service to our country, and I also note his passion for defence industry in this country. The Morrison government has a strong record of identifying, investing in and delivering what makes and keeps Australians safe at home and abroad. It's important to provide certainty to our defence industry in order to create jobs, to create those defence industry opportunities and, at the same time, to keep Australians safe. We're very proud that, because of our government's strong economic management, we are now restoring defence spending to two per cent of GDP, reversing the significant decline that the nation experienced under Labor. We will achieve the two per cent of GDP in the 2020-21 period, which is three years before predicted. Of course, this is due to the good economic management of those sitting on this side.

I've been asked about alternative policies. Under Labor, defence was an unacceptable casualty of the inability of those opposite to manage money. In six years, Labor did not commission a single Australian built ship. There are many new members on this side of the House and on the other side of the House and they may have thought that they misheard me, so I think it's worth repeating that, in six years, Labor did not commission a single Australian built ship. By contrast, the Morrison government will build 57 vessels in Australia, built in Australia by 15,000 Australian workers using Australian steel.

In 2012-13 Labor slashed the defence budget by over 10 per cent in real terms, causing defence investment to fall to its lowest level since World War II. Because of Labor's panic and crisis, Labor cut $18 billion from the defence budget whilst they were in government. Labor's cuts caused Australia's defence industry to cut thousands of Australian jobs and, at the same time, place our defence capability at risk.

Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Gorton has already been warned.

Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We know that Labor pay lip-service to defence. When they run out of money, they use the defence department as their personal ATM. The Morrison government is providing the security that our defence forces and our defence industry need. We on this side are investing $200 billion in our defence industries. We're creating more Australian jobs. We are giving more and more opportunities for our defence industries and, at the same time, we're keep our Australians safe.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat.

Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are very rude, Leader of the Opposition.

Mr Hill interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for Bruce! His interjections are awful; so he can leave under 94(a) as well. I like to discount for humour but, in his case, it doesn't apply.

The member for Bruce then left the chamber.

I would say to the Leader of the Opposition and others that, when ministers are answering questions, they should not rise until the minister has completed their answer or I have called them because the clock has run down.

Mr Dutton interjecting—

Mr Dreyfus interjecting—

The Minister for Home Affairs and the member for Isaacs, I might let you continue your conversation elsewhere if it continues. I'm just going to say: it might only be Monday, but I might start to acquaint members with the practice of the New Zealand speaker, who feels that wilful flouting of the standing orders results in a question being taken away. It's something I'll ponder on through the week.