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

I certainly can, Senator Henderson. The Morrison government's $200 billion investment in defence capability provides unprecedented opportunities for Australian companies—and, let me tell everybody in this chamber, they are embracing these opportunities in record numbers. Thanks to the policies of those on this side of the chamber, global defence companies are establishing uniquely Australian entities that are today employing thousands and thousands of Australians and are exporting Australian-built cutting-edge capability to the world. I'm so proud of companies like Thales Australia, of French origin, which is now employing almost 4,000 Australians. They are now delivering for Australia and also now exporting high-technology products for defence, including the Bendigo-built Bushmasters. Another wonderful example is the 50 Australian companies, such as Chemring Australia, just outside of Geelong, who are now exporting over $1.7 billion of— (Time expired)