WE ARE going to build 12 submarines with help from France.

Here is the snag: the project doesn't start for five years.

In five years, we could have a Labor government that can cancel the project, costs will rise and could make the project too dear, and we may be threatened in that period and only have obsolete subs to defend us.

What about the workers waiting to start construction?

Surely it would be more prudent to buy off-the-shelf subs from the US and have an efficient sub force within a year to patrol our waters.

Why is it we can't put essential defence projects into effect within a few years?

Why has everything to take five or 10 years?

It's a bit like saying we will shoot the enemy but can't do that for five years until we get a new rifle to do it.