Federal Labor will support the government committing to new submarines being built in Australia before a formal evaluation process is completed.
Japan, Germany and France are involved in the competitive process for Australia's largest ever defence procurement project - to replace the Collins class submarines.
The government admits the formal assessment will take longer than July, when a double-dissolution election could be held.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten on Wednesday said the timing of the final announcement of the winning consortium should not be based on "Mr Turnbull's tawdry electoral problems in South Australia, which are significant".
"It should be based upon the assessment of the competitive tender," Mr Shorten told reporters in Sydney.
"But for me, what Mr Turnbull can do without rushing the timing ... is make sure they commit that the submarines will be built in Australia."
Mr Shorten also rejected suggestions of a "hybrid" process in which the initial submarines were built overseas and the remainder built in Australia.
"That's not good enough, Malcolm. You've got to build every submarine in Australia," he said.
Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said the government would not be truncating the process.
"It's very important that it be allowed to run its course and be done properly," he told reporters in Adelaide.
However there would be a "very good outcome" for his state of South Australia.
"We have the nine future frigates being built here, already promised and already committed to, and we soon have an announcement about the 12 submarines," Mr Pyne said.
The defence industry wants to know before the election if the government is committed to a local build.
"The government doesn't need to have all the answers to know whether or not they are committed to a strong, supported, local defence industry," Chris Burns from the Australian Made Defence campaign said.
Share
