Hunter Class Frigate Program

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:14): My question is to the Minister for Defence and Space Industries. Has the minister sought and received assurances from the federal Minister for Defence that nine Hunter class frigates will be built at Osborne?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water) (14:14): I think this has been canvassed extensively in this chamber. We are awaiting the federal government response to the surface ship review. Both the Premier and I have urged the Deputy Prime Minister to release that response as soon as possible, in order to address the uncertainty that exists not only with the shipbuilding force itself but also, of course, the supply chain. We await that review response as soon as possible, but the Deputy Prime Minister has consistently said that it will happen in the first quarter of next year.