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Defence Reserves Association 2022 National Conference

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Wurundjeri people, and pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. I also acknowledge the traditional owners of the land from which I am beaming to you today from, the Whadjuk people of the…

Speech: Defence Reserves Association 2022 National Conference

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Wurundjeri people, and pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. I also acknowledge the traditional owners of the land from which I am beaming to you today from, the Whadjuk people of the…

2022 Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference, Optus Stadium. Perth, WA

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Whadjuk Noongar people and pay my respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging – thanks for that welcome Aunty Viv.  As the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, I also pay…

First meeting of Veterans' Wellbeing Taskforce under Albanese government

Following the release of the Royal Commission’s Interim Report into Defence and Veterans Suicide, the Veterans Wellbeing Taskforce has been convened by new Minister for Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh. In this first meeting under the Albanese Labor Government, State and Territory…

Funding applications now open for Veterans' Health Week

Ex-service organisations and community groups can now apply for funding to help host events promoting healthy eating as part of this year’s Veterans’ Health Week. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said hosting or participating in a Veterans’ Health Week event is a fantastic way to support…

Darwin Veterans' and Families' Hub construction underway

Joint media release Luke Gosling OAM MP, Member for Solomon Construction has commenced on a permanent home for the Darwin Veterans’ and Families’ Hub to help support the 10,000 veterans and families in the Northern Territory. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said the Australian Government’…

Hellfire Pass

The Hellfire Pass Memorial in Thailand is a tribute to the Allied prisoners of war and local labourers who worked on the Burma-Thailand railway during the Second World War. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh laid a wreath at the memorial today and paid tribute to the more than 60,000 Allied…

Recognising Vietnam Veterans

Tomorrow, on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, Australia pauses to recognise the men and women who served in the Vietnam War, 60 years after the first Australian defence personnel were sent to South Vietnam. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said the Vietnam War was era-defining, and the longest…

Remembering one of the most tragic chapters in Australian wartime history

On 15 August 1945, while the world celebrated the end of the Second World War in the Pacific, one of the most tragic chapters of Australian military history was drawing to a close on the island of Borneo. The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh has travelled to Sandakan in Malaysia to attend…

Commemorative address, Sandakan 2022

I would like to acknowledge: The Honourable Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah representing the Chief Minister of Sabah Madam Faridah Giau, Deputy President, Sandakan Municipal Council representing the President, Sandakan Municipal Council His…

Interview, Stephen Cenatiempo, Breakfast Show, 2CC 1206 AM

SUBJECTS: ROYAL COMMISSION INTO DEFENCE AND VETERAN SUICIDE INTERIM REPORT STEPHEN CENATIEMPO: The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has handed down its Interim Report. That happened yesterday. And it highlights what I think we all knew – that the way we treat our veterans in this…

Navigate program charts course to a stronger STEM workforce

To kick off National Science Week, Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Matt Keogh MP has met some freshly minted Defence scientists who have joined Defence through the NAVIGATE program, a pioneering Defence recruitment initiative that is working to strengthen and diversify the science,…