Scott Morrison denies Solomon Islands ‘red lines’ rhetoric puts Australia more at risk

Making a defence funding announcement in WA, prime minister continues to face questions about his handling of national security issues

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Guardian Australia's full federal election coverage
• Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing

Scott Morrison has rejected claims that his rhetoric about red lines in Solomon Islands has backfired, while saying he still does not know the final cost of scrapping the French submarine contract.

The prime minister, making a defence industry funding announcement in Western Australia on Friday, also defended the scrapping of an armed drones program that the government had previously praised and would have delivered capability soon.