Interview with Chris Kenny, The Kenny Report

CHRIS KENNY:
There has been an enormous focus on increased defence expenditure lately, better late than never, I suppose. Big concerns about some of our major projects, though. Let's go to the Defence Industries Minister Melissa Price, who joins us live from Canberra. Thanks for joining us, Minister.

MELISSA PRICE:
Thank you.

CHRIS KENNY:
The Chinese government sent out some propaganda just yesterday pointing out that their military might completely overwhelms us, and if we entered into any conflict over Taiwan, we'd be obliterated immediately. I mean, it's horrible tub thumping propaganda, but they're right aren't they?

MELISSA PRICE:
Well, I think the starting point, Chris, is that I'm very proud of our $270 billion dollar investment in our defence capability over the next 10 years. But when you talk about, perhaps, regional instability, the starting point for anyone is to have a look at our 2020 Force Structure Update. And that talks about what our approach is, whether it's about shaping our environment, ensuring that we are able to deter anyone who chooses to do us harm, but also that we have that defence capability to be able to react should we need to do so.

CHRIS KENNY:
But that threat from China really just underscores the reality, isn't it? That, that we, we are vulnerable on our own, and most of our defence posture and expenditure is directed at the alliance. We would only be able to defend ourselves with the help of the Americans?

MELISSA PRICE:
Well, we're certainly very focused on what is it that we need to do at home, and I think, Chris, there's nothing like a pandemic to get you focused on what is it that we need to do at home to be able to defend our home? You know, if we talk about building submarine programmes, it's not just about building submarines, it's about building an industry. It's about creating jobs and making sure that we have got that sovereign industrial capability that we need so that we can defend ourselves. And I think, you know, that 2020 Force Update really underscores that.

CHRIS KENNY:
Well, one of the areas where we really need to be self reliant is when it comes to submarines, to be able to protect ourselves and our key naval passages with submarines. That and some air force superiority to our north. But how badly exposed are we with submarines? With the latest speculation, we might need some, some stop gap submarine to help us out until the new French Barracudas are actually ready?

MELISSA PRICE:
Well, Chris, we're very proud of our very ambitious shipbuilding programme and we're very proud of our relationship with Naval Group. And, in fact, was only last week that I cheerio'd a couple of our young Australians who are heading off to Cherbourg, who are now involved in Naval Group, employed by Naval Group. They're over there, learning the know how and know why. And I set them off with a jar of Vegemite and some some Violet Crumble. But, you know, they're going to join another 40 Australians who are over there. And one by one, those young Australians are coming back with the skill sets that they need to be able to make sure that we can build this capability at home. In the meantime -

CHRIS KENNY:
Do we face a gap? Do we face a gap? Are we vulnerable between the end of the Collins Class and the introduction of the Barracudas?

MELISSA PRICE:
No, we're very satisfied with the qualities of the Collins Class and indeed the upgrades that are proposed for the future Collins.

CHRIS KENNY:
Now, tell us also about the increased investment in the Army bases or military bases to our north. We do have rotations of Marines through Darwin. Is part of our medium term future to increase US involvement and deployments to our north? And could that ever include a permanent base?

MELISSA PRICE:
Well, certainly the US is a key ally, it's very important that they have got, a presence in the north. I mean, even and in fact, our investment in the Northern Territory alone is significant -

CHRIS KENNY:
Could it be permanent?

MELISSA PRICE:
About $8 billion dollars that we're spending over the next ten years.

CHRIS KENNY:
Would we consider permanently hosting a US Air Force base or naval base?

MELISSA PRICE:
Well, they're as good as permanent, Chris, as we speak. And it's not just the US, of course. We also are hosting the Singaporeans in Pearce in Western Australia and also in Queensland also. But, you know, those conversations continue, but in the meantime, we've got to continue to upgrade those bases -

CHRIS KENNY:
Sorry just on those conversations. Are you saying we're in conversations with the Americans about permanent presence in Northern Australia?

MELISSA PRICE:
No, what I'm saying is that those conversations, you know, are possible. I'm certainly not having those conversations. But in the meantime, we've got to make sure that our bases are up to scratch. And we're spending a significant amount of money to make, you know, together with the Americans, they're also investing in our bases to make sure they've got that, you know, this, the facility, that they need in order to do their own work out there in the Pacific.

CHRIS KENNY:
Thanks for joining us, Minister, I appreciate it.

MELISSA PRICE:
My pleasure.

CHRIS KENNY:
Defence Industries Minister Melissa Price, there, about how we can make sure that we defend ourselves and meld with the needs and demands of our allies.

[ends]