Bob Day (SA, Family First Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. I commend the government for delivering on its pre-election commitment to build 12 new submarines in Adelaide and I congratulate the successful bidder, DCNS. Minister, I note that the French were the only bidder to have nuclear powered submarines. I also remind the minister of my question to her predecessor, Senator Johnston, in this place in December 2014. In his answer to my question, the minister congratulated me for commencing the nuclear submarine debate. I note that The Financial Review observed yesterday that some of our new submarines could in fact be nuclear powered by the time they enter service. Minister, could some of the 12 Future Submarines be nuclear powered?