Question Time

Submarine Program

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:14): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier assure the house that he has made a formal submission on behalf of the government of South Australia—a written submission—to the federal government setting out why South Australia should retain the full cycle docking work of the Collins class submarine? If so, will he make it public?

Mr Pederick: Oh, my God.

The SPEAKER: The member for Hammond is called to order. The Premier has the call.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:14): I know that is only his third question on this, but if he had listened to just one of the other two answers he would already know the answer to that. We certainly have had detailed discussions and submissions—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is on the board. We have the question. I would like to hear the Premier's answer. Premier.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: As I was saying, we have had detailed discussions and submissions to the commonwealth to representatives, both Tony Dalton and Tony Fraser, who are charged with the responsibility of developing the recommendations of options that will ultimately go to the National Security Committee, which is a subcommittee of the federal cabinet.

We also have further detailed information, which was published on the web last week and which has also gone to the federal government. I really think that rather than spending your entire time on Adobe 1, doing your flimsy red pamphlets and trying to scare people in South Australia, you might like to avail yourself of the facts—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: It would be useful if we had an opposition in South Australia—

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Mawson!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —who took these matters seriously, took briefings from Defence SA on the progress—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order: that is clearly debate, sir.

The SPEAKER: The point of order is for debate. The question was relatively specific.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Submissions have been made.

The SPEAKER: Has the Premier finished his answer?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Yes, thank you.