Payne, Sen Marise

Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Defence) (14:11): I made it quite clear in this chamber and I made it quite clear at the Submarine Institute speech that we regard the future submarines as an essential component of capability—absolutely essential. I think I spoke on that in the chamber in response to a question just last week. As I have said very clearly in relation to the size of the fleet, those matters are matters for consideration in the defence white paper, in the integrated investment program and in the defence industry policy statement, which will be released in the first quarter of next year.