Wong, Sen Penny

Senator WONG: Saab Kockums? Mr Moriarty : I have not provided a brief to the minister in relation to TKMS or Saab Kockums in relation to submarine matters. The minister recently visited a health facility in Brisbane. That was Saab Australia. We can confirm that. But, no, the department has not provided briefings to the minister on those two companies in relation to submarine matters—to the best of my knowledge. And I will check that. CHAIR: I would like to ask the Chief of Navy a question. It relates to an ABC story from Wednesday 26 May 2021. It starts by telling us: The Navy has begun quietly— Whether it's quietly or some other way— examining whether German-made submarines could provide an interim capability for Australia before a future $90 billion French-designed fleet is due to enter service in over a decade. That is what the story asserts. Is that assertion correct? Vice Adm. Noonan : As the Navy capability manager, I can confirm that Navy has not undertaken any review of the TKMS 214 submarine. CHAIR: I assume that TKMS, just for clarity, is a reference to the German made submarines, which is the sentence I just read out? Vice Adm. Noonan : Yes.