17th Sep 2015, 12:37 PM – Senate Motions - Defence - Submarines

This division related to the policy For building Australia’s new submarine fleet in South Australia

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson. In other words, they agreed to take out the words "commit to the procurement of 12 submarines" from a motion introduced by Independant Senator Nick Xenophon. Xenophon's amendment was later passed without division.

Read Senator Whish-Wilson's reasons for his amendment in his speech.

Xenophon's motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the 2009 and 2013 Defence White Papers both state a national security requirement for the procurement of 12 new submarines,

(ii) on 20 February 2015, the Minister for Defence announced the acquisition strategy for Australia's Future Submarine Program, including details of the Competitive Evaluation Process to be undertaken by the Department of Defence, advising that the department would seek proposals from potential partners on 'options for design and build overseas, in Australia, and/or a hybrid approach',

(iii) all tier one navies have their warships and submarines built locally,

(iv) submarine builders DCNS and TKMS:

(A) have expressed a view to a Senate inquiry that the total life cycle costs (from design through construction through operation) will be no more expensive if our future submarines are built in Australia, and

(B) along with submarine builder ASC, have agreed to a proposition put to them at a Senate inquiry that participation in the design and construction of a submarine makes through-life maintenance easier,

(v) building submarines in Australia would:

(A) contribute to Australia's defence self-reliance, and

(B) provide valuable economic and skills stimulus to Australia's manufacturing industry, and

(vi) both the Collins class submarines and ANZAC frigates were built with greater than 70 per cent local content (by value); and

(b) calls on the Government to:

(i) commit to the procurement of 12 submarines, [this provision was removed by Senator Whish-Wilson's motion]

(ii) commit to its pre-election promise to a local build of submarines and withdraw the stipulated options for 'design and build overseas' and a 'hybrid approach' on Australia's future submarines, and

(iii) set a submarine build benchmark of at least 70 per cent Australian local content (by value).