Mali: 'Australia is going to build submarines'

Australia is going to build submarines.

Australia is going to build submarines.

We are an island continent.

We require a sophisticated and advanced submarine capability.

Any alternative to Australia building its own submarines would leave us with none at all.

If the AUKUS partnership survives this review, as I fully expect it will,

it will mark a significant achievement.

We should not fear nor should we resist the review of AUKUS.

This is an intergenerational initiative of immense cost and consequence.

Responsible governance demands that incoming governments and administrations examine such commitments.

So to those unsettled by the idea of scrutiny from a partner government, I say get used to it.

Review.

revision and speculation and scrutiny.

That should be expected because it is appropriate.

We are not short on economic demand.

South Australia does not need to build submarines for economic salvation.

We choose to take a leadership role in this project because we believe we have the expertise to make a valuable difference in this long-term, comprehensive and absolutely necessary national pursuit.

But South Australia does not want

nor can we deliver AUKUS alone.

So I reiterate my call to fellow premiers and chief ministers across the country to get on board.

We need your people, your industries, your expertise, all contributing to what is a truly national effort.