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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-10-31 Daily Xml
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Defence Naval Shipbuilding

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:12): My question is again to the Premier. Is the Premier aware of the recommendations of the special report produced by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and, if so, does he agree with them? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: On 30 October 2023 the Australian Strategic Policy Institute published a special report, 'An Australian maritime strategy: resourcing The Royal Australian Navy'. Recommendation six in that report is, and I quote:

…the planned production of nine [anti-submarine warfare] frigates should be reduced to six...the remaining ships should be replaced by multipurpose frigates or destroyers with greater missile capacity to support the [Defence Strategic Review]...

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:13): No, I haven't had the chance to read ASPI's report that was released yesterday. ASPI is a significant contributor to the public policy debate around defence and our nation's posture in a range of geopolitical policy frames, and I acknowledge their work.

In respect of the advocacy around a reduction from nine Hunter class frigates to six, I don't imagine ASPI have been unique in proposing such an option. I am sure there are a range of options in front of the commonwealth around what to do in terms of the number of Hunter class frigates.

What is critical here to the state's interest and, we would argue, for the national interest is that there is the continuity of serious surface shipbuilding here in South Australia. Whether the commonwealth commits to six or nine Hunter frigates—and naturally six or nine is a long way down the track—whatever the commonwealth decides, what we will be arguing for fervently, and holding the government to account on rigorously, is making sure we have continuous, serious surface ship production here in South Australia, happening side by side with the delivery of the nuclear submarine program.

The Leader of the Opposition is welcome and should be acknowledged for his reference to outside advocacy from significant organisations like ASPI. I am also very aware that over the course of the last few days we have other significant Australians advocate positions in regard to shipbuilding capacity in our state. I acknowledge that none other than senior Liberal Alexander Downer is saying that we shouldn't be building nuclear submarines in South Australia—a senior Liberal saying that this program is a white elephant and a form of pork-barrelling.

I reject that view. Alexander Downer, I believe, to be wrong. I think in South Australia we do have the ambition and the capability to build nuclear submarines right here in our state. I think these are thousands of jobs—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: I believe that these are thousands of jobs that will be developed not just in our state's interest but in the national interest. There is nowhere else in our country or within our federation that possesses the skills and know-how to be able to build—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Taylor!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —a world-class fleet for a Navy that seeks to protect—

The SPEAKER: Member for Hartley!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —our interests as best as we do. I reject the former senior Liberal's view on this matter.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: No, he is a senior Liberal. I reject his view resoundingly. I believe him to be wrong, and I look forward to witnessing hopefully a bipartisan view—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Morialta! Member for Schubert!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —that is unqualified, that Alexander Downer is fundamentally wrong.

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