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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-02-21 Daily Xml
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Question Time

Hunter Class Frigate Program

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier stand by his comment on radio this morning that the continuous shipbuilding program at Osborne is, and I quote, 'fully funded'? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: On Mix 102.3 radio this morning, the Premier said, 'It's ships to be built forever more here at Osborne—for the first time in our nation's history, actually having a program that is fully funded.'

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:10): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I think the whole state, particularly the workforce and industry alike, breathes a sigh of relief that we now have a federal budget that has the funds to build the Hunter class program here at Osborne. Yesterday, we saw an announcement from the federal government of an in excess of $50 billion funding program for shipbuilding in our nation, including $11 billion of new money being allocated to the budget as well.

What is important here for the opposition to appreciate is that you don't necessarily have to listen to my words. The people in industry, the people who are set to be the major beneficiaries of this work: what are they saying? Are they disappointed with the news, or are they positive? What did Jim Whalley say about yesterday's announcement? I quote:

I think it's great news for Nova Systems, it's great news for Australia and great news for the Australian Defence Force.

What did Andy Keough, CEO of Saab Australia, say?

Really exciting day for us. You're really starting to look into the future, particularly the announcement. It's giving certainty, I think, for a long time.

Raytheon Australia managing director, Michael Ward, said:

This offers significant opportunities for Australian industry in both construction and support.

What did Libby Day, CEO of the Defence Teaming Centre here in South Australia, say? She said:

The release of the Surface Combatant Fleet Review provides a critical foundation for South Australia's defence industry to build upon.

Ben Hudson, chief executive officer of BAE Systems, responsible for the Hunter class program—presumably they more than anyone would be disappointed, if they took the same view as our state's Leader of the Opposition—said:

Today's announcement provides decades worth of work at Osborne in South Australia...

It goes on and on and on—news of positivity, news of excitement—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —news of certainty—not coming from politicians, but coming from people actually responsible—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Morialta!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —for delivering the industry to employing the workforce on the back of yesterday's announcement. So, yes, it is true that the announcement yesterday of a lot more money to actually fund this program going into our budget has been widely appreciated—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —widely accepted and widely supported, except from one relatively exclusive group of people.

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner: So is continuous shipbuilding fully funded?

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Morialta!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: Who are the naysayers? The naysayers, of course, rest on the other side of the chamber.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! There is a point of order from the member for Morialta under 134.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: When the Premier starts pointing at people, he is clearly debating: standing order 98.

The SPEAKER: I am not certain necessarily that that follows. Gestures in the course of debate, provided they fall within the standing orders, are in fact permissible. I will listen carefully.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: There is plenty of room on this side of the house for people to get on board and we are not too fussed if they are people getting on board from the other side of the political divide. In fact, there is one recent newcomer I will also quote, a gentleman by the name of Christopher Pyne. What did he say about yesterday's announcement? He said, 'It sends a really important message—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —to us in South Australia. It lifts the morale of the defence industry in the state and also continues to confirm us as the centre of tier 1 shipbuilding.' Everyone is on board, Christopher Pyne is on board, it is now time for the Leader of the Opposition to get on board.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

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