All releases

Albanese Government grows and accelerates Defence spending

There is no greater responsibility for the Albanese Labor Government than keeping Australians safe and securing our nation’s future during a time of global uncertainty.  As the Government announced last year, we are investing an additional $50.3 billion into the Australian Defence Force (ADF…

Doorstop Interview, Avalon Airshow

SUBJECTS: Albanese Government Accelerates Defence Spending; First Australian HIMARS delivered; GWEO; Avalon Airshow. 

Opening Remarks, Delivery of first Australian HIMARS, Avalon Air Show, Geelong

SUBJECTS: HIMARS Capability. 

Government delivers first Australian HIMARS

From today, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is equipped with a world‑leading long‑range precision strike capability – a direct result of the Albanese Government’s additional investments in Defence. In response to the Defence Strategic Review (DSR), the Albanese Government announced $1.6 billion…

Mission success for Long Range Anti-Ship Missile testing

The Albanese Government has delivered on a commitment to significantly upgrade the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) maritime strike capability following a successful live firing of the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). The LRASM is now ready for operational use after the operational…

Doorstop Interview, Geelong

SUBJECT/S: 2025 Avalon Air Show.  JOURNALIST: I really enjoyed your comment about the astronauts, Richard, so maybe you can just talk to that.  RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Charlie Duke? JOURNALIST: Yeah, just something a little quirky, especially for the kids. 

Launch of the 2025 Avalon Air Show

This is the 16th edition of the Air Show, and we are really excited. For me, it's my world's colliding – it's where I'm both Minister for Defence but also the local member. And from the perspective of Defence, this is a really significant event. As Justin said, there will be 900 exhibitors, which…

Doorstop Interview, Cairns

SUBJECTS: RVS Takuare Recommissioning; Cairns; Indo-Pacific Partnerships

Guardian-class Patrol Boat RVS Takuare returned to Vanuatu

Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles met with Minister for Internal Affairs, the Hon Andrew Napuat in Cairns to mark the return of Vanuatu’s Guardian-class Patrol Boat, RVS Takuare. RVS Takuare has been undergoing repairs to the hull and an internal fit-out after…

Radio Interview, ABC Far North

SUBJECTS: Australia’s Strategic Circumstances; Indo-Pacific Partnerships; Defence Funding; Northern Bases; Cairns Common User Facility; AUKUS; Defence Force Assistance for Natural Disasters.   CHARLIE MCKILLOP, HOST: The man whose job it is to protect Australia’s interests and keep you…

Doorstop Interview, Cairns

SUBJECTS: Australia’s Northern Bases; Defence Industry in Cairns; AUKUS; Cairns Common User Facility; Australia-Canada Relationship; JORN; Federal Budget.

Radio Interview, 4CA - Breakfast with Murray Jones

SUBJECTS: Visit to Cairns; Vanuatu Guardian Class Patrol Boat Handback; Defence Funding; US-Australia Alliance; Regional Partnerships; Critical Minerals.               MURRAY JONES, HOST: Well, a luncheon today with the Cairns Chamber…