Senator CONROY (Victoria—Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Finance. I refer to the claim by Senator Edwards that the submarine builder ASC will now be allowed to bid for Australia's new submarine contract, telling TheAdvertiser: I'm very pleased with the decision of the Prime Minister … it now commits the Government to a full and open tender … Was the finance minister consulted about this decision or was it another captain's pick? Can the finance minister confirm whether the Treasurer was consulted given that he said last year: … we have run out of time … and we need to make decisions now. Senator Abetz: Nothing inconsistent. Senator Wong: 'Nothing inconsistent,' says Abetz.