David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

So there they were, Mr President, promising the South Australians that there would be 12 submarines, whilst all the while taking money out of the future Defence Capability Plan—some $20 billion—from the submarine program. And, of course, in the constriction of defence funding, $16 billion, reducing us to 1.56 per cent of GDP, the lowest since 1938, South Australia, which is the 'defence state' was absolutely ravaged. Where was Senator Conroy when that was going on? Where were the South Australian senators? They were asleep at the wheel. South Australia was ravaged by Labor in the defence space and they said nothing. We will fix the problem.