Industry Minister Christopher Pyne in full flight. His backing of his home state (South Australia) over other states and his manner (nicknamed "the poodle") may not have made him totally Defence Force compatible.
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The Turnbull Government’s submarine build policies are becoming clearer in the direction of full build in Australia not just a 70% hybrid build as previously expressed. The policies of Defence Minister Marise Payne may have been pre-empted by Federal Minister for Industry, Christopher Pyne [Pyne/Payne will cause confusion…] when Christopher Pyne said the words below on Australia’s ABC, September 23, 2015 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-23/pyne-gives-strong-indication-of-adelaide-sub-build/6797870:
Ministers Christopher Pyne, Jamie Briggs give strong indication of Adelaide submarine build
Federal Industry Minister Christopher Pyne has given his strongest indication yet that a full domestic build of Australia's next fleet of submarines will take place in Adelaide.
During an interview on 891 ABC [radio] Adelaide [on September 23, 2015], the SA-based MP said he wanted the State and Federal Governments to work together.
"The SA Government and Federal Government, will come up [with] a proposal, I hope, for a full domestic build at Osborne,[in Adelaide, South Australia]" he said.
Firms from Germany, France and Japan are competing to build the submarines after former Prime Minister Tony Abbott broke his pre-election promise in 2013 and put the tender out to what he called a "competitive evaluation process".
The South Australian Government wants the Coalition to honour its previous commitment to build the replacement to the Collins Class fleet at Techport, the shipbuilding facility it owns at Osborne in Adelaide.
…Mr Pyne was tipped to take over as Minister for Defencefrom Kevin Andrews in Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's recent cabinet reshuffle but the role was instead handed to NSW Senator Marise Payne. [Pete’s Comment - perhaps it was thought Christopher Pyne would too strongly back the interests of South Australia over the interests of other states.]
Pete