Media releases

Minister for Defence - Boost for Australian defence and aerospace industries

Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today welcomed the announcement by the US Department of Defense that Australia has been selected to provide support to Joint Strike Fighters (F-35) in the Asia Pacific Region. Senator Johnston said with the JSF Program now maturing, the focus was…

Minister for Defence - Contract secured for aviation fire trucks

Defence has signed a $33.393 million contract for 28 aviation fire trucks to provide aircraft crash, emergency and fighting fire fighting responses for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Australian Army. Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston said the new vehicles would replace and…

Minister for Defence - 2014 Australia-Papua New Guinea Defence Ministers’ meeting

Minister for Defence David Johnston, today met with his Papua New Guinea counterpart, Dr Fabian Pok, for the second annual Australia-Papua New Guinea Defence Ministers’ Meeting. “Dr Pok and I had wide ranging discussions on how Australia and Papua New Guinea can continue to strengthen our…

Minister for Defence - Additional shipbuilding expertise to be inserted into the Air Warfare Destroyer program

The Government has taken the next major step to put the $8.5 billion Air Warfare Destroyer program back on track to deliver critical capability for the Royal Australian Navy. Following a competitive procurement process, BAE Systems, Navantia SA and Raytheon Australia will take on increased roles…

Minister for Defence - Creating a sustainable naval shipbuilding industry

The Abbott Government is committed to investing in a safe and secure Australia. As part of this commitment – and building towards the release of the Defence White Paper – the Government today announces a three point plan that will create a sustainable naval shipbuilding industry that supports…

Minister for Defence - Defence Minister welcomes the commissioning of HMPNGS Lakekamu

Today in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, a ceremony was held to mark the commissioning of the Landing Craft Heavy HMPNGS Lakekamu into service with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF). HMPNGS Lakekamu was formerly the Royal Australia Navy Landing Craft Heavy HMAS Labuan, which was…

Minister for Defence - Labor's Defence record reveals hypocrisy

The future submarine program is a significant national investment in a vital defence capability and it is important that we get it right. The Government is committed to delivering the most capable replacement submarines, at the best price with the least risk to our nation’s future security. Unlike…

Minister for Defence - $1.2 million boost for School Pathways Program

The Australian Government has committed an extra $1.2 million to extend a Defence Materiel Organisation program aimed at encouraging more students in Western Australia and South Australia to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today…

Minister for Defence - HMAS Canberra, among the best in the world

The commissioning of HMAS Canberra, a 27,000 tonne Landing Helicopter Dock, provides the Royal Australian Navy with one of the world’s most capable and sophisticated amphibious assault ships, Defence Minister David Johnston said. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at Garden Island, Sydney…

Minister for Defence - Defence Abuse Response Taskforce report

The Government has received the final report of the out-going Chair of the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce (DART), the Honourable Len Roberts-Smith RFD QC, and his report on Defence Abuse at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Both reports were tabled in Parliament today. Mr Roberts-Smith and…

Minister for Defence - Praise for installation of first Australian made JSF Vertical Tails

Defence Minister David Johnston has congratulated Melbourne-based precision engineering company Marand following the successful installation of the first locally made Vertical Tail assemblies on an F-35 Lightning at Lockheed Martin’s US assembly line at Fort Worth, Texas. The installation of the…

Minister for Defence - HMAS Toowoomba drug seizure

The Royal Australian Navy has once again dealt a blow to international drug smuggling in the Indian Ocean with HMAS Toowoomba intercepting and seizing 388 kg of heroin off the coast of Africa. Minister for Defence Senator Johnston said the crew of Toowoomba boarded a dhow in international waters…