George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I have already answered the substance of the question. Senator Gallacher, you talk about a debacle; how is this for a debacle—a government that gets elected in 2007 knowing there is a need to progress to the next generation of Australian submarine after the last Labor debacle of the Collins class submarine and then goes on for six years and does precisely nothing across three defence ministers and three prime ministers knowing with each successive year that the capability gap in this vital strategic asset is growing and growing and growing. I do not know, Senator Gallacher, how more simply I can put this to you. For six years you did nothing, not a thing to progress the next generation of the Australian submarine. This government inherited that debacle from you and we are determined to ensure we get the best deal.