House debates

Monday, 28 November 2022

Questions without Notice

National Security

2:45 pm

Photo of Peter KhalilPeter Khalil (Wills, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to clean up the mess left by the former government and ensure Australia's submarines meet our national security needs?

Photo of Richard MarlesRichard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question and acknowledge the service that he has provided to Australia's national security. One of the Albanese government's greatest challenges is securing Australia's future submarine capability. There is no military platform that gives rise to a greater question mark in any adversary's mind than a highly capable submarine, which is why submarines matter, in terms of building Australia's strategic space for diplomacy and for trade.

There is no worse example of the lost decade that Australia has had, under the former coalition government, than the sheer negligence that they showed in the handling of future submarines, and the rot started very early. Former defence minister Johnston declared that he had no confidence that Australia could build a submarine. Indeed, he famously declared that he wouldn't trust the Australian defence industry to build a canoe. Prime Minister Abbott and defence minister Andrews sought to have our future submarines built by Japan as a bargaining chip to close the free-trade agreement with Japan. Talk about the tail wagging the dog! And in early 2015, the country was treated to the spectacle of Australia's future submarines being tossed around the former government's party room during the empty chair challenge on Tony Abbott. There is no moment where those opposite have shown greater contempt for Australia's defence or the Australian people than this.

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Wannon will cease interjecting.

The minister for infrastructure will stop interjecting.

Photo of Dan TehanDan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | | Hansard source

That's just a lie!

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Wannon is warned.

Photo of Richard MarlesRichard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | | Hansard source

Then, in 2016 we saw those opposite prematurely down select the bidders for the future submarine to one, without competing on the design of the submarine—a decision which involved billions of dollars—so that they could have a slightly more convincing press conference on the eve of the 2016 election. What is consistent with all of this is that the Liberals love the politics of defence but have zero interest in defence policy.

Under the Albanese government things are very different, because we're not concerned about politics; we're only interested and focused on the national interest. There is a power of work underway, right now, with our partners in the United Kingdom and the United States about what will be the optimal pathway for Australia's future, nuclear powered submarine. We're on track to be able to make that announcement in the first part of next year, and building a nuclear submarine in this country will be one of Australia's great national endeavours. It will transform our strategic posture, it will build our sovereignty and it will empower Australia as a nation.