Senator SMITH (Western Australia—Deputy Government Whip in the Senate) (15:10): It may have escaped the attention of Labor senators in this place—it might have even escaped the attention of Mr Bill Shorten, the Leader of the Opposition—but time is running out for the Australian Labor Party. This year, 2015, was meant to be the year of big ideas for the Australian Labor Party. Senator Gallacher interjecting— Senator SMITH: I know that you are not inclined to trust things from a coalition senator, but it is now the end of November and tomorrow is the beginning of December. Time is running out. We thought that this was going to be the year of big ideas, but what did we get in today's question time in the Australian Senate? We had a lame question from Senator Collins with respect to the so-called James Ashby affair and we had a lame question from Senator Gallacher. Senator Gallacher interjecting— Senator SMITH: I will specifically address your question in a moment, Senator Gallacher, because the way that you presented the submarine issue was not entirely accurate. This is where we are up to on 30 November, with one more month and just a few sitting days to go, in Labor's year of big ideas. You would think that, having announced a big idea on the weekend—a big idea that is going to cost Australian families and Australian businesses—and announcing his climate change targets, Bill Shorten might have instructed his Labor senators to come into the Australian Senate and argue— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Smith, I am struggling to see the relevance to the question before us. I might just remind you of the question. It is that the Senate take note of the answers to questions asked by Senators Wong, Gallacher and Collins. Senator SMITH: Thank you very much for your Christmas leniency and Christmas cheer, Deputy President. Let me refer specifically to two issues. The first is the so-called James Ashby affair. The Prime Minister has made his position crystal clear on this issue. He has said, firstly, that he has confidence in the member for Fisher as the Special Minister of State and the Minister for Defence Materiel and Science. He has said that Mr Brough is cooperating with the police and there is nothing at this stage to suggest that he should stand aside in accordance with the statement of ministerial standards. Finally, the Prime Minister has said that any investigation should be allowed to take its course if it is necessary. Those are the facts. Questions in relation to the Ashby affair do not need to find themselves in the Australian Senate question time. In the year of big of ideas, there should be other issues worthy of prosecution by Labor Party senators. Let us go back to Senator Gallacher's question on submarine contracts and let us again get some facts on the table. Importantly, what was Labor's record when it came to submarine contracting? Where did Labor leave Australia's naval capabilities at the end of their six-year tenure? The first point is a simple one. The former government failed to make a decision on the Future Submarine project, risking a critical security and capability gap. That was your legacy, Senator Gallacher. Now Senator Gallacher and others say that they want a tender process. Who should we trust on this matter? Let's trust the Australian Defence department. The Australian Defence department says that a tender process, as proposed by Labor, would risk at least another five-year delay in the program and bring about yet another critical capability gap. We had six years of inaction under Labor's alternative plan and they want another five years of delay—an 11-year capability gap for our naval forces. Instead, what the coalition has done is put in place a very robust process to choose the best possible submarine capability for the best price while at the same time maximising Australia's industry involvement. That has to be a good outcome. Why do we know that is a good outcome? Let's not listen to what coalition senators say. Let's not listen to what Labor senators might say. Let's listen to what Brent Clarke said from DCNS. What did he say? For those who are not aware: DCNS are very significant French naval shipbuilders. What did they say? On 25 May, Brent Clarke—more informed dare I say than anyone in this Senate chamber—said, 'It is pretty simple— (Time expired)