Media releases

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence - Parliamentary Secretary welcomes Army’s newest soldiers at Army Recruit Training Centre

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence, Darren Chester, joined the Commandant and Instructors of Army Recruit Training Centre today as the Reviewing Officer of 1st Recruit Battalion’s latest graduating soldiers. “It is a great experience to witness the start of what is sure to be a…

Minister for Defence - New training system for ADF helicopter crews

A modern helicopter training system for Navy and Army personnel has been approved by the Australian Government, Defence Minister Senator David Johnston announced today. Senator Johnston said the new training system would better prepare Navy and Army aircrew to transition to the ADF’s current combat…

Minister for Defence - Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter upgrade

Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today announced he has given Combined Pass approval for an interim Tactical Data Link for the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters in service with the Australian Army. Under LAND 2089 Phase 3B, a total of 21 Tiger helicopters will be upgraded with a…

Minister for Defence - Australia and Japan deepen defence and security cooperation

Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston has today met with his Japanese counterpart, Mr Akinori Eto, in Tokyo to discuss deepening defence and security cooperation between the two countries. This is the first time the Ministers have met since Minister Eto’s appointment as Japan’s Minister of…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Fifth annual wounded, injured and ill digger forum

The Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, spoke to wounded, injured and ill soldiers and their families at the Chief of Army’s Wounded, Injured and Ill Digger Forum in Canberra yesterday. The forum was an opportunity for soldiers and their families to share their experiences of having been…

Minister for Defence - Visit to The People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea and Japan

Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston, will leave today for an official visit to China, the Republic of Korea and Japan from 12 to 17 October 2014. “This is a significant visit to three of Australia’s most important defence and security partners,” Senator Johnston said. “I look forward to…

Assistant Minister for Defence - ADF pay claim progresses

The Government today confirmed the continued progress on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA).  The Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert announced that an agreed Commonwealth position on remuneration will be taken to the Defence Force…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Assistant Minister for Defence visit to New Zealand

Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert today completed his visit to New Zealand where he met with the New Zealand Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Short and other senior military personnel and officials. “New Zealand and Australia share a strong bond of friendship, and…

Minister for Defence - Australia, China and the United States start first trilateral land exercise

Defence cooperation between Australia, China and the United States will be highlighted during Exercise KOWARI 14, which commences in the Northern Territory today. Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston said the inaugural environmental survival training exercise between the three countries will…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Assistant Minister for Defence to travel to United States and New Zealand

Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, tomorrow (Sunday 5 October 2014) departs for Hawaii to attend the Australian-American Leadership Dialogue, before visiting New Zealand to meet with New Zealand’s Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Short and other senior and…

Assistant Minister for Defence - Army engagement strengthens Singapore–Australia defence relationship

Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert and Singapore’s Chief of Army, Major General Perry Lim, met today to discuss how future engagement can contribute to a stronger defence relationship. Mr Robert said the close and longstanding defence relationship between the Singapore and Australian…

Minister for Defence - Purchase of two C-17A Globemaster aircraft

The Australian Government has begun the process of purchasing two additional C-17A Globemaster strategic airlift aircraft, Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston announced today. Senator Johnston said should the Government elect to exercise this option the two extra Globemasters would…