The Minister for Defence David Johnston has announced the first set of key initiatives in the Abbott Government’s long-term strategic naval plan. The Government is moving decisively to tackle Labor’s Defence mess and to ensure that Australia does not face major capability gaps as a result of Labor’s defence cuts and failure to take crucial decisions, including on maritime capability. As a result of our plan, Navy will be properly equipped in the years ahead and Australian industry will have the long-term strategic direction that has been lacking for the last six years. Further steps in our strategic naval plan will developed as part of the White Paper process. We are moving now to address the most urgent capability shortfalls created by Labor.
