All releases

Australia's contribution to the Solomons International Assistance Force

This week, we mark the return of the final Australian members deployed under the Solomons International Assistance Force (SIAF), after supporting the successful delivery of the 2023 Pacific Games and 2024 Joint Elections.  The SIAF was established after the Australian Federal Police and…

Navy conducts firing of Standard Missile 6 as part of Government push to provide ADF with enhanced capabilities

HMAS Sydney has conducted a successful firing of a Standard Missile 6, representing a step-change in the lethality, air and missile defence, and long-range strike capability of Navy’s surface combatant fleet. The Standard Missile 6 will be progressively deployed across Navy’s Hobart class…

Q&A, Defence Connect DIDS Summit

SUBJECTS: Potential conflict in Pacific, Peter Leahy Comments, Defence capability and sustainment, AUKUS agreement, support for defence SMEs. PETER STEFANOVIC: Well, I’ll get things going anyway. You talk about this in the report, the time frame. And we often hear about the 10-year warning time of…

Address to the British Chamber of Commerce

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. As Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have…

Defence Industry Development Strategy Summit

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present. As the Minister for Defence Industry and Delivery Capability Delivery, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and…

Albanese Government to accelerate production readiness of Ghost Shark program

The Albanese Government is accelerating production of the Ghost Shark program as part of a commitment to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with the cutting-edge capabilities it needs to safeguard Australians and their interests. Defence and Anduril Australia have entered into a co-funded…

Schools pathways program in South Australia and Western Australia

The Albanese Government has entered into a $5.1 million Federation Funding Agreement with the state governments of South Australia and Western Australia for the delivery of the Schools Pathways Program (SPP) – delivering on a commitment under the Australian Government’s Defence Industry Development…

Australia's first MQ-4C Triton

The Albanese Government has unveiled Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System – ‘AUS 1’ – to be operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).  Revealed at RAAF Base Tindal by the Deputy Prime Minister, the MQ-4C Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance…

Radio Interview, 2SM

SUBJECTS: Changes to Ministry, AUKUS, Coalition’s Lack of Credibility, Two State Solution, PNG NRL Bid and Security in the Pacific.  DAVE COCHRANE: Federal Member for Shortland is with me right now. Pat Conroy. Good morning to you, Pat. MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY PAT CONROY: Good morning.…

Statement on Ministerial Changes

Today I had the honour of being sworn in as a Cabinet Minister under changes to the Ministry team announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister for giving me the opportunity to continue to serve as part of a united team that is…

Albanese Government investment in Collins class submarines sustainment to support more than 1600 jobs

The Albanese Government has signed a new four-year sustainment contract with ASC Pty Ltd, securing South Australia and Western Australia as the centres of excellence for the sustainment of the Collins class submarines. This new contract will provide work valued at over $2.2 billion, directly…

Address to the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference

INTRODUCTION I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present. I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in the past…