Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Education and Training and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:59): I thank Senator Farrell for his question. Senator Farrell is, indeed, an Adelaide Crows supporter. I'm not sure what was being said up there, but I will absolutely verify Senator Farrell's credentials in that regard—they are outstanding credentials, in that regard. Senator Abetz: They're the only ones. Senator BIRMINGHAM: They are the only ones, thank you, Senator Abetz. I realise that the Labor Party is very eager to try to, it seems, talk down the scale of investment that is being made in relation to naval shipbuilding and the naval shipbuilding industry at Osborne, but the Turnbull government is absolutely keeping our commitments. Indeed, I would say in many ways we're exceeding the commitments that we've made over the years. It stands in stark contrast—as Senator Payne has outlined in this chamber time and time again—that the previous Labor government commissioned not one new Australian ship for the Australian Navy during its time in office. Senator Williams: Not one. Senator BIRMINGHAM: Not one. Not a single one, Senator Williams, that's correct, whereas, of course, what the Turnbull government is delivering— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Birmingham! Senator Carr on a point of order. Senator Kim Carr: A point of order on the question of relevance: the minister was asked when he was first aware of the plan to shift sustainment for the submarine program away from Osborne. The PRESIDENT: The question had a preamble. I cannot instruct the minister how to answer a question. Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, can I conclude what I was going to say, then I will take your point of order? The question had a preamble. The minister was addressing, in my view, part of the material raised in that preamble. Senator Wong: Perhaps after question time you could consider the preamble. The preamble only went to a quote dealing with sustainment work. The PRESIDENT: I will consider it after question time. Senator Birmingham. Senator BIRMINGHAM: The Future Submarine program is expected to generate an annual average of around 2,800 jobs in Australia. That's before we consider the sustainment needs, and, indeed, before we consider the activities in relation to future frigates and offshore patrol vessels as well. This is significant growth in jobs. As my colleague Senator Payne has made very clear, if you didn't have all of that additional investment and activity— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Birmingham! Senator Carr, on a point of order. Senator Kim Carr: The point of order is one of relevance. The specific question was about his stated knowledge about the government's breach of a commitment. I would ask you to ask him to turn to the question. The PRESIDENT: I attempt to take notes of every question. I'm happy to review the exact wording of the question after question time. In my view, the minister is addressing part of the preamble that was in that question. Senator BIRMINGHAM: As I was saying, if we didn't have the scale of additional investment across the range of shipbuilding and submarine construction activities, there would be no need to consider how it is we ensure that sustainment can also be accommodated rationally, sensibly and effectively into the future. But, as a government, we are absolutely determined to ensure that there is enormous additional activity, as there will be at Osborne in South Australia, across shipbuilding and submarine building, and that we also deliver the capability our defence forces need, including effective sustainment into the future. The PRESIDENT: Senator Farrell, a supplementary question.