Payne slams SA's negativity on frigates

Defence Minister Marise Payne has expressed disbelief at her South Australian counterpart's negativity after a frigate build worth $30 billion was promised to the state.

The defence white paper on Thursday confirmed that nine new frigates will be built in SA from 2020 but it does not specify where the patrol vessels will be built, amid fears the work could go to Western Australia.

SA Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said the frigate contract was cold comfort for the state, with 1300 workers set to lose their jobs if Perth ends up building the patrol vessels.

Senator Payne says his response is "profoundly disappointing".

"How you could be so negative the day after an announcement of this nature, which actually confirms in black and white ... $30 billion of future frigates built in your state," she told ABC radio on Friday.