Turnbull praises Pyne in SA 'robocalls'

Christopher Pyne says it's important for his Adelaide constituents to know he delivered them 12 new submarines.

Voters in the industry minister's seat of Sturt have received "robocalls" featuring Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull spruiking the federal government's shipbuilding investment in South Australia.

In a recording obtained by Crikey, Mr Turnbull can be heard praising Mr Pyne for his role in keeping shipbuilding jobs in Adelaide.

"Your federal MP, Christopher Pyne, is a strong advocate for our plan to secure South Australia's future," Mr Turnbull told voters.

There are reports the calls were also made in the nearby Liberal seats of Hindmarsh and Mayo.

Mr Pyne said he was pleased the Defence Department had recommended awarding France the submarines contract.

"I think it's very important that people in Sturt know that I delivered 12 subs and a $50 billion investment for South Australia, my home state," he told reporters in Adelaide on Thursday.

"I'm very glad that the competitive evaluation process found that that should be the case and I want the people in my electorate to know."

Mr Pyne holds Sturt with a 10 per cent margin but faces threats from Labor and the Nick Xenophon Team when voters go to the polls in July.

Labor has preselected gay rights activist Matthew Loader, while emergency doctor Matthew Wright will stand for the NXT.