Johnston left in a canoe without a paddle Defence Minister David Johnston on the ASC, which built the trouble-plagued Collins submarines and is now $350 billion over budget on three air warfare destroyers: I wouldn't trust them to build a canoe. Here is a typical Abbott Government moment, of the kind it faced with comments such as the "poor don't drive cars much" and "if bipartisan on Iraq, then be bipartisan on the savings." If the extreme statement is part of a defensible argument, and even highly illustrative of it, then go in even harder if you are criticised. Do a Keating. But apologising just signals another mistake was made. And this Government apologises an awful lot, lacking confidence in its ability to prosecute an argument in the media. Memo: It is better to be attacked for being blunt and aggressive than despised for being weak and ratty. Mind you, it's better to speak wisely in the first place, and Tony Abbott believes it's best to clear away the broken glass rather than defend Johnston: Prime Minister Tony Abbott has since released a statement saying the ASC plays a vital role in supporting the Royal Australian Navy... Whilst ASC has had challenges meeting the Government's cost and schedule expectations of the Air Warfare Destroyer programme, we are working closely with ASC on a reform strategy to improve shipyard performance and productivity. It is early days, but the Government is confident that ASC and its partners will successfully turn the corner on this important build. Johnston has apologised in the Senate.