Stuart Ayres sinks talk of submarine tip-off

NSW Trade Minister Stuart Ayres denied he had inside knowledge from his partner, Defence Minister Marise Payne, of the new submarine contract.

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PREMIER Mike Baird’s office is refusing to say whether his Trade Minister Stuart Ayres received official advice not to meet French submarine contract winner DCNS in Paris at a time when his federal ­Defence Minister partner was about to award them a $50 billion contract.

Government sources have told The Daily Telegraph there was advice from Mr Baird’s department and office which said Mr Ayres should not meet the submarine firm — a meeting which would have occurred just one week before Defence Minister Marise Payne and the PM announced DCNS was getting the government’s $50 billion submarine contract.

However, Mr Baird’s office is claiming government would be “unworkable” if it provided such information as advice that is given to ministers.

Stuart Ayres with wife Marise Payne. The NSW Minister has been forced to deny claims she provided him with inside knowledge.

Mr Ayres and his federal partner, Defence Minister Marise Payne, have both ­denied Mr Ayres was tipped off that DCNS was about to be awarded the contract when he tried to arrange the meeting.

Mr Ayres says that meeting was called off because of “scheduling”.

There has been speculation the submarine firm may provide jobs in other parts of Australia other than Adelaide, where the project will be awarded, and it is understood Mr Ayres wanted to meet them about that.

Opposition Leader Luke Foley said last night: “It is up to Stuart Ayres and Marise Payne to explain whether any lines have been crossed and any ­behaviour was inappropriate.”

Ms Payne’s office yesterday denied speculation that she had advice from the Defence department as to whether Mr Ayres should organise the DCNS meeting or not.

“No advice was received from the departments,” Ms Payne said.

Mr Ayres’ office also ­refused to comment on any ­advice from the premier’s ­office or department and also declined to comment on whether he had discussed the possible meeting involving the firm with his partner.

When Ms Payne’s office was asked if the minister had discussed the meeting with Mr Ayres, a spokesman said: “The Minister observes at all times the Statement of Ministerial Standards.”

Premier Baird told reporters yesterday any potential conflict was a matter for Mr Ayres and Ms Payne.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull looks at a Royal Australian Navy Collins-class submarine at the ASC naval shipyards in Adelaide / Picture: AFP

WHOSE SUBMARINE WAS IT ANYWAY?

Daniel Meers

POLITICAL pundits could be forgiven for thinking Malcolm Turnbull has a direct line to satirical television series Veep’s writers, with the PM’s $50 billion submarine announcement drawing even more comparisons to the show’s fictional US president Selina Meyer.

It comes a month after Mr Turnbull took flak for his “continuity and change” slogan, used to describe similarities and differences between himself and former prime minister Tony Abbott, matching Meyer’s “continuity with change” slogan.

In an episode of the US comedy’s most recent season, Meyer — played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus — scraps a $50 billion submarine project to save money, before reinstating it after colleagues pressure her over lost votes due to lost jobs.

It mirrored the Coalition government, which had considered sending some of the construction offshore before agreeing to build all 12 submarines in Australia in a bid to retain seats in South Australia.

And in an eerie replay of life imitating art, both real and fictional projects are worth $50 billion.

But the PM said the decision was based on economics and security.