Then-Defence spokesman David Johnston repeatedly pledged that a Liberal Government would build a dozen subs at ASC in Adelaide. Johnston was later demoted after an extraordinary outburst in which he claimed the sub corp couldn’t be trusted to “build a canoe”.

It’s understood the international bidders for the submarine contract – in Germany, France and Japan – have been briefed to put in proposals for eight vessels, rather than the promised 12.

In Adelaide today for his first face-to-face meeting with Premier Jay Weatherill since becoming PM, Turnbull was asked on ABC radio whether he stood by the promise to build 12, responding: “Look, I didn’t make that statement.”

“All I can say to you is ‘watch this space’,” he said.

“I am very committed to Australia having a substantial defence industry… we’re committed to a substantial defence industry in South Australia, and you know … that is already here, it’s a big part of your economy.”

After meeting the Premier, Turnbull told reporters with a smirk that Weatherill was “perfectly polite and charming”. His partisan nemesis concurred it was “a very positive discussion”, taking in “jobs of the future” and “investment in innovation and research”.

Weatherill said he had impressed upon the PM the importance of a continuous shipbuilding program, but believed the evaluation process was still ongoing.

“We had a very interesting discussion about SA’s tram network and the fact that capital cities are an incredibly important driver of growth in the modern economy,” said Weatherill.

He suggested he had made a play for Commonwealth tram network investment, but said: “They’re all discussions, we’ll have to see … time will tell.”