All releases

STEM scholarships to propel nuclear submarine program

The Albanese Government has today launched the Propel: Australian Submarine Scholarship program, a $15.8 million initiative to support the development of Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine workforce. Propel will offer up to 3,000 scholarships to students studying in priority STEM fields…

Press Conference, Sydney

SUBJECTS: Exercise Kakadu; Fleet Review; Middle East Conflict; Fuel Supply; AUKUS; Defence Spending. 

Design contract signals decisive step in Henderson Defence Precinct consolidation

The Albanese Government has taken the next step in establishing a consolidated defence precinct at Henderson to support sovereign shipbuilding and sustainment in Western Australia. Bechtel Infrastructure Australia (Bechtel) has been appointed as the design services consultancy to undertake master…

Product of Concern Summit for Collins class sustainment

The Albanese Government held its fourth Product of Concern Summit in Canberra today to support the sustainment of Australia’s Collins class submarines. Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, convened the summit alongside Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, and senior…

Albanese Government announces acquisition of long-lead items for AUKUS nuclear propulsion systems

The Albanese Government has announced a $310 million payment for the acquisition of long‑lead items from the United Kingdom to support Australia’s future sovereign conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarine capability. Today’s announcement will directly support the manufacture of critical…

Joint Statement, Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue

On 23 February 2026, the UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP hosted the Minister for Defence Industry of Australia, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP, for the Australia–UK Defence Industry Dialogue (AUKDID). This meeting marked the revival of the Dialogue following the 2025…

Doorstop, London

Monday, 23 February 2026 (Tuesday, 24 February AEDT) SUBJECTS: Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue (AUKDID) outcomes, advanced radar cooperation, collaborative combat aircraft integration, MQ-28A Ghost Bat weapons, SSN-AUKUS reactor investment. MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY PAT CONROY: Thank you…

AUKUS enters new era with the arrival of UK submarine into Western Australia

HMS Anson has arrived at Western Australia’s HMAS Stirling for the first‑ever maintenance activity on a United Kingdom nuclear‑powered submarine in Australia, marking a historic step in our nation’s readiness to operate and maintain conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarines. Over the coming…

Press Conference, Henderson Shipyard

SUBJECTS:  Continuous naval shipbuilding; $4 billion contract with Austral; investment in national security; UK submarine. JOSH WILSON MP: Hi everyone, good afternoon. It's fantastic to be here at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, the common user facility on the lands of the Whadjuk…

Q&A - ADM Congress, Canberra

SUBJECTS: Launch of the Advanced Capability Investment Fund, Defence organisation reform, future of AUKUS.

Podcast Interview, 7News - The Issue

SUBJECTS: Ukraine-Russia war; Defence budget; AUKUS; Defence relationships with allies TIM LESTER, HOST: Hello, welcome to The Issue. I’m Tim Lester. As we upload this week’s episode, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is in Europe to discuss the Ukraine war and speak at a…

Doorstop, Parliament House

SUBJECTS: AUKUS; Capital Gains Tax; President Herzog Visit; Labor Party donations JOURNALIST: Is the government considering changes to the capital gains tax? MARLES: Our position in respect of housing policy hasn’t changed, and that includes the tax arrangements around housing policy. It’s…