JOURNALIST: [Inaudible] said that there might need to be some interim submarines before AUKUS actually comes to fruition. What do you think .
PRIME MINISTER: Look, we have the AUKUS process that we agreed to included an 18 month review, and we're halfway through that. That's proceeding.
JOURNALIST: So is there any chance to get two submarines from American production lines before then?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, Mr Dutton has made some comments after being presiding over an all announcement, no delivery regime and not delivering on actual capability, but delivering on media releases. I'll make this point. You don't defend your country and our national security with a media release. You defend it with operational capability. My Government intends to concentrate on delivering rather than the statements that Peter Dutton has made that contradict all of the statements that he made while he was Defence Minister.
JOURNALIST: You talk about operational capability we simply don't have that, Prime Minister. We have a massive operational capability gap between now and when those submarines finally arrive. Dutton hinted at an option here to give us some protection through 2043. Is there any truth in what he said?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, he hinted, but he didn't say anything when he was Defence Minister, did he? Peter Dutton needs to recognise that he has a responsibility to put the national interest first, not to always be engaged in short term political interests.
JOURNALIST: So can you confirm you're also looking at that option? The two Virginia class submarines to give us something to get us through the 2040.
PRIME MINISTER: I can confirm exactly what I've said and that I won't be making on the run comments when it comes to our national security and when it comes to our Defence.
