Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Conroy for his question. As the senator is very well aware, the Future Submarines Program, SEA1000, is currently the subject of a competitive evaluation process. There are three proponents participating in the evaluation process and the responses of those proponents—France, Germany and Japan—are due to be returned to the government on 30 November this year. That process is overseen by an expert advisory panel which has been appointed to observe the conduct of the CEP to ensure both the fairness and equity of the process. This is a very significant investment in our future security and the government takes it very seriously. That is why we are engaging in a competitive evaluation process, and the outcome of that competitive evaluation process will be made available next year.