Govt won't pre-empt call on submarines

The federal government is still waiting for submissions from Japan, Germany, and France on why they should build Australia's next fleet of submarines.

Defence Minister Marise Payne said the bidding parties have until the end of this month and did not want to pre-empt any decision.

"The assessment hasn't yet been made," she said on Sunday when asked by a Japanese journalist of the strategic importance if Australia accepted Japan's proposal.