Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Defence) (14:31): I thank Senator Edwards for his question and for his very strong advocacy of Australian industry and our economy. I am very pleased to say that the government's continuous shipbuilding strategy will have significant benefits for workers in the shipbuilding industry. Our plans for a continuous build of major naval ships in Adelaide and other vessels in Western Australia will secure more than 2,500 shipbuilding jobs for decades to come. Senator Kim Carr interjecting — The PRESIDENT: On my left! Senator Carr! Senator PAYNE: For the first time, these workers in this country will have a career that is not constantly interrupted when one project ends. That is what a continuous build philosophy actually does. But, in terms of broader benefits to the Australian industry and to workers—which Senator Edwards asked about—the 2,500 shipbuilding jobs figure does not even include the thousands of indirect jobs that will be created through the supply chains that are needed to support the shipbuilding industry. So some of those immediate supply chain jobs which would be included in this consideration are related to the development of infrastructure at shipyards. They might also include metal fabrication or the manufacture of leading edge electronic systems. In fact, the opportunities are absolutely enormous. Senator Kim Carr interjecting— Senator Cameron interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senators Carr and Cameron! Senator PAYNE: That is why this government has recognised the Defence industry as a fundamental input into capability in the defence white paper and the defence industry policy statement for the first time. We are actually getting on with the job. We have made very important announcements in relation to naval shipbuilding—in complete contrast to those opposite who did absolutely nothing. Not one order placed with an Australian shipyard—nothing. That is the difference.