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

Again, Senator Henderson, thank you for the question.

Senator Sterle interjecting—

Let me be very clear. The Attack class submarine is on time and it is on budget, Senator Sterle. In the current preliminary design phase, we are starting to select many of the systems and the future suppliers. As Naval Group Australia approaches industry, it is a mandatory requirement for Australian industry plans to be developed as they approach the Australian market. This will ensure that we are maximising Australian industry content—a minimum of 60 per cent. To ensure we are developing our sovereign knowledge base, we already have over a hundred Australians working in Cherbourg, in France, including 20 of Naval Group Australia's 200 employees. As this project ramps up, I am absolutely confident Naval Group Australia will succeed in ensuring that its presence in Australia generates thousands of multigenerational jobs and, in time, more defence exports.