Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Shoebridge. The Australian government has taken the decision—and it's a decision I appreciate that you and your party don't agree with—to go down the track of replacing our Collins class submarines, which were built in South Australia, with nuclear powered submarines. There's a staged process here. As we know, the former government for nine years had a series of—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Shoebridge, I have drawn to your attention before not to stand on your feet and call 'point of order'. I am trying to keep order in this place, and doing disorderly things like that does not assist. Senator Shoebridge?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Shoebridge. You have made your point of order. I remind the minister of your question. Minister.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't think you can deal with the issue that you're seeking to ask questions about without looking back at the nine long years of neglect—

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left! I have a senator on his feet. Senator Shoebridge.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, thank you.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Shoebridge. I will remind the minister of the question.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, President. Well, I know it aggravates the opposition to keep referring to the fact that in nine long years you couldn't make a single decision about the issue of—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Shoebridge.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Shoebridge.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! I have called the Senate to order. I will again remind the minister of the question. Minister, please continue.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, President. The decision that we have made—and, as I have pointed out earlier, I—

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left!

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, there's still a few up there.

Opposition senators interjecting—

No, we're all awake. We're all sound asleep—all wide awake. On the issue which Senator Shoebridge raises, of course I understand he doesn't agree with the decision to shift to— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Shoebridge, first supplementary?

Oppo sition senators interjecting—

Just a moment, Senator Shoebridge. Order on my left! I have a senator waiting to ask a question.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Shoebridge for his first supplementary question. I totally reject the proposition that we're not telling the truth. Unlike the former government, we have been as absolutely open as we can about the way forward on our defence and security issues. Only last week, the Prime Minister sat with the American President and the English Prime Minister to explain to the world—and, of course, subsequent to that to our neighbours in this region—exactly what it is—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Shoebridge.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Shoebridge. You did go to the non-proliferation treaty and you did talk about telling the truth as well. I do believe the minister's being relevant, but I shall continue to listen carefully.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, President. We will honour all of our obligations under our treaties, and that was made very clear by the Prime Minister and the defence minister in all of the discussions— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Shoebridge, second supplementary?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Shoebridge for his second supplementary question. To be honest with you, I'm not sure that decisions have been made about where the submarines will be docked on the east coast of Australia, so I'm not sure that your assertion that it relates to Port Kembla is correct. Look, we have treaty obligations. We support those treaty obligations. We will ensure that we comply with all of our international obligations in respect of nuclear issues. That includes the Treaty of Rarotonga. Rest assured that every one of our international obligations— (Time expired)