Payne, Sen Marise

Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Defence) (14:39): No, that's not correct. As I indicated in my earlier comments and response to the Senate and to Senator Whish-Wilson's question, the total acquisition cost of the six aircraft, the associated systems, is estimated to be around $3 billion. Any reference to a figure of $6.9 billion includes the whole-of-life sustainment costs. The acquisition cost, which is recorded in the Integrated Investment Program, is most certainly the cost which is being adopted at this point. The PRESIDENT: Senator Whish-Wilson, a final supplementary question.