Nick Xenophon (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Hansard source

Whilst I and my colleagues support some of the sentiment of this motion, we cannot support the language. It is our view that, whilst remaining in the F-35 program, Australia should, in cooperation with the Canadians, who are running a competition, reopen and compete for the new combat air capability. What we say is required is, firstly, hedging against further program schedule slippage with an interim aircraft type; secondly, negotiating a fixed-price contract with the inclusion of liquidated damages for schedule and technical performance shortfalls; and, thirdly, ensuring we have appropriate IP rights in place before signing any further contracts for aircraft.