Defence Shipbuilding

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:13): My question is, again, to the Premier. Has the Premier received assurances from the Prime Minister that the full life-of-type extension will go ahead for all Collins class submarines? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: The ABC reported on Monday that the federal defence minister said that keeping the Collins going until the nuclear submarines are operational is, and I quote, 'not a great answer'.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:14): Yes, we have sought those assurances from the commonwealth and have made it clear that both the FCD work and the life-of-type extension work for the Collins class program is set to occur, and in fact needs to occur to ensure that the Navy maintains its capability for the submarines until we start to acquire the Virginia class and then following that the locally built SSN-AUKUS submarine.