All releases

Television Interview, Sky Afternoon Agenda

SUBJECTS: Conflict in the Middle East; Fuel; ADF assistance with flood recovery TOM CONNELL, HOST: Joining me Well, Donald Trump is calling on more help in and around Iran to try to shore up the world's oil supply. Iran has managed to effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz. Joining me live…

Television Interview, ABC Afternoon Briefing

SUBJECTS: Iranian women’s football team; humanitarian assistance; Nationals Leadership; conflict in the Middle East PATRICIA KARVELAS [HOST]: I want to bring in my political panel for today. Maria Kovacic is a Liberal Senator for NSW. Peter Khalil is the Assistant Defence Minister. Welcome to both…

Parliament passes legislation to establish Defence committee

The Albanese Government has passed legislation in the Parliament which will establish the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence (PJCD). The establishment of the PJCD implements a recommendation of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Inquiry into international…

Radio Interview, ABC Far North

SUBJECTS: Cairns Common User Facility; $250 million upgrade to HMAS Cairns; Illegal Fishing; Border Protection CHARLIE MCKILLOP [HOST]: If there was ever a time for Cairns and Far North Queensland to be on the front foot, it is right now. The rise and rise of China in the Pacific, the uncertainty…

$250 million upgrade secures Navy's future in North Queensland

The Albanese Government is strengthening Defence capability in northern Australia, with major milestones reached on delivering the $250 million HMAS Cairns wharf upgrade and the completion of a new shared-user training facility for Australian Navy Cadets. The HMAS Cairns wharf upgrade is part of…

Television Interview, ABC Afternoon Briefing

SUBJECTS: President Herzog visit, Liberal leadership, foreign interference charges STEPHANIE BORYS [HOST]: Let's bring in my political panel for today. Peter Khalil is the Assistant Defence Minister and Dave Sharma is a Liberal Senator for New South Wales. Thank you both for coming in this…

Radio Interview, ABC Hobart Drive

SUBJECTS: Defence Estate Audit, AI KYLIE BAXTER [HOST]: An independent audit found that large parts of the Defence Department's 3 million hectare estate are just not needed anymore and many facilities have deteriorated beyond repair. And in Tasmania, 15 ADF sites have now been identified for…

Delivering the Future Defence Estate

The Albanese Government is undertaking the most significant reform to the Defence estate ever to ensure it is fit‑for‑purpose – providing the ADF with the facilities and capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe. Today, the Albanese Government has released a public version of the Defence…

Press Conference, Parliament House

SUBJECTS: Defence Estate Audit; The Secretary of the Department of Defence; Syria RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Today, the Albanese Government is announcing the most significant reform to Australia’s Defence estate in our nation’s history. For any organisation, its home, its land, its…

Press Conference, RAAF Base Tindal

SUBJECTS: New MQ-4C Triton facilities at RAAF Base Tindal, Port of Darwin MARION SCRYMGOUR [FEDERAL MP FOR LINGIARI]: Well, we're here today on Wardaman Dagoman country, we've been part of a fantastic opening, it has been good to be in here. We've seen Defence, Indigenous people and landowners, but…

Government boosts response to drone threats

The Albanese Government is accelerating efforts to develop cutting-edge counter-drone technology, teaming with industry to drive innovation, while also updating Defence regulations to keep Australians safe. A new industry panel has been established to advise Defence and other Australian Government…

A new age of airspace authority begins at Tindal

Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil, will today officially open the new MQ-4C Triton facilities at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, marking a major milestone for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and delivering a significant boost to Australia’s air and maritime surveillance…