- Lead on capability approval decisions through National Security Committee and National Security Investment Subcommittee, as directed
- Support the Deputy Prime Minister in delivering the National Defence Strategy by delivering the Integrated Investment Program and Defence Industry Development Strategy
- Lead management of capability acquisition and sustainment projects, including the Projects of Concern and Projects of Interest process
- With the Deputy Prime Minister, reform Defence’s capability development and acquisition processes, including establishment of the Defence Delivery Agency
- Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator
- With the Deputy Prime Minister, drive the capability and industrial outcomes for AUKUS (Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States) partnership
- Australian Defence Export Office
- Australian Defence Strategic Sales Office
- Australian Industry Capability Program
- Australian industry engagement on the Defence Industry Security Program
- Capability disposals
- Defence engagement with the Pacific and Timor-Leste
- Global supply chains
- Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise
- Drive the continuous growth of the sovereign defence industrial base, including industry policy and engagement, and in support of a Future Made in Australia
- International engagement on defence industry matters, including industrial base collaboration
- With the Deputy Prime Minister, drive progress on Defence’s naval shipbuilding enterprise
- Office of Defence Industry Support
- Science and technology engagement with industry and international partners
- Test and evaluation policy and procedures
Designation
Minister for Defence Industry
Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
Media contacts
General enquiries
Designation
Minister for Defence Industry
Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
Minister profile
The Hon. Pat Conroy MP is Australia’s longest serving Minister for Defence Industry since the 1950s.
His focus is on delivering the capabilities our Australian Defence Force needs to keep Australians safe.
Since coming into government, Minister Conroy has accelerated capability delivery to meet Australia’s strategic challenges, including a historic increase in Australia’s missile manufacturing capabilities and more than doubling the Navy’s major warship fleet.
Furthermore, he is working to deliver a generational investment in Australia’s industrial base to implement the AUKUS partnership.
With over 100,000 Australians working in the defence industry, a key driver of his work is to build a stronger and more resilient defence industry that secures well-paid, high-skilled jobs – not just for the next few years, but for the next generation.
Minister Conroy grew up on the New South Wales Central Coast, completed an Economics degree with Honours at the University of Sydney, and worked in a range of industrial, policy and political roles prior to his election in 2013 as a Federal Member of Parliament. He was elevated into the Ministry after the 2022 Federal Election and into the Cabinet in 2024. Minister Conroy also serves as the Minister for Pacific Island Affairs.