All releases

Press Conference - Darwin, Northern Territory

MINISTER  KEOGH: Good morning, everybody. It’s great to be here in Darwin with 1st Brigade, seeing off the 70 Australian soldiers as part of Operation Kudu that will be joining the UK forces in the UK, training Ukrainian soldiers as part of Australia’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and training…

Australian troops deploy to train Ukraine forces

Australian soldiers will depart Darwin this week to join partner nations in the United Kingdom, providing critical training to Ukrainian recruits to support their national defence in response to Russia’s illegal invasion. A contingent of up to 70 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will deploy…

Interview with Damian Smith, ABC Perth Mornings

DAMIAN SMITH: It's exactly 50 years since the Whitlam Government ended the National Service Scheme, and since then Australia has relied on people's enthusiasm to sign up and serve in the Defence Force. But I wonder if that enthusiasm is waning, can you shed some light on this for me? Maybe you've…

More affordable healthcare for Defence families

Healthcare is set to become more affordable for Defence families, with the expansion of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Family Health Program from today. Families can now claim more services than ever before, including ambulance cover, help to quit smoking and pharmaceuticals. Minister for…

Royal Military College graduation

The next generation of Defence leaders have been celebrated today at the Royal Military College - Duntroon (RMC-D) graduation and commissioning ceremony. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, the Hon Matt Keogh MP, was there to congratulate the 183 Army and Air Force officers on…

ADFA farewells class of 2022 at historic graduation parade

296 midshipmen and officer cadets have graduated as junior officers in the Australian Defence Force today, taking part in an historic Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Graduation Parade. It was the first time that six squadrons had participated in a graduation parade, making it one of the…

Sydney II sailor remembered along with 644 shipmates

A commemorative ceremony was held today for Able Seaman Thomas Welsby Clark, the only member of the HMAS Sydney (II) crew to be found after it was sunk in 1941. The ceremony honoured all 645 men who lost their lives after the Australian ship was sunk during World War II. Months after the sinking…

Release of Defence and veteran suicide monitoring report

A report released today into the rate of suicide among current and former serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel reaffirms that suicide prevention must be a matter of national priority. The report, Serving and ex‑serving Australian Defence Force members who have served since 1985 suicide…

Press conference - Albany, Western Australia

MATT KEOGH: It is a pleasure and honour to be here in Albany, Western Australia as part of commemorations of Remembrance Day this year – 104 years ago at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the guns fell silent across the Western Front as the four years of the First World War…

Identifying our fallen & overseas Anzac services

  Three Australian soldiers of the First World War have been formally identified more than 105 years since they were killed on the Western Front. Minister for Veterans Affairs’ and Defence Personnel, The Hon Matt Keogh MP said identifying the soldiers, whose remains were found in 2006 and 2010,…

Interview with Tim Wong-See, ABC Great Southern Albany Breakfast

TIM WONG-SEE: A lot of excitement with - today, with day one of the show. It is also Friday, the 11 November and it is Remembrance Day today and there will be services right across the country to mark that. A time of reflection and acknowledgement for anyone who died while serving in wars,…

Interview with Gareth Parker, 6PR Perth Breakfast

GARETH PARKER: Down in Albany today at the National Anzac Centre is the Minister for Veterans Affairs, Matt Keogh. Matt, good morning. MATT KEOGH: Good morning, Gareth. GARETH PARKER: You are down in Albany at the National Anzac Centre. What's it like down there this morning? MATT KEOGH: So the…