Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Hughes. I can assure the Senate that this government is absolutely focused on maximising the level of industry involvement in all our shipbuilding programs. The Morrison government is the first government to put faith in the Australian defence industry as a fundamental input to capability. It is in our nation's interest that all states and territories are capable of contributing to the shipbuilding and sustainment endeavour—that all states contribute. And 15,000 Australian workers will be at the forefront of modern naval ship design and construction practices, creating new opportunities for defence and adjacent industries. Our Attack class program will be built upon a framework of agreements between Naval Group and ASC which identifies ways that both can collaborate to support Australia's sovereign submarine capability. Mandating a minimum proportion of Australian industry is actually counterproductive, as it focuses on measurements rather than a proper industry engagement to that sovereign— (Time expired)