My question is to the Minister for Finance. I refer to the claim by Senator Edwards that the submarine builder ASC will now be allowed to bid for Australia's new submarine contract, telling TheAdvertiser:

I'm very pleased with the decision of the Prime Minister … it now commits the Government to a full and open tender …

Was the finance minister consulted about this decision or was it another captain's pick? Can the finance minister confirm whether the Treasurer was consulted given that he said last year:

… we have run out of time … and we need to make decisions now.