Media releases

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…

Product of Concern Summit for Collins class sustainment

The Albanese Government held its fourth Product of Concern Summit in Canberra today to support the sustainment of Australia’s Collins class submarines. Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, convened the summit alongside Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, and senior…

Australia’s steadfast support for Ukraine four years on

Today marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in blatant violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter.  Four years of unprovoked Russian aggression against a sovereign, democratic neighbour.  Australia is steadfast in our commitment to…

Albanese Government announces acquisition of long-lead items for AUKUS nuclear propulsion systems

The Albanese Government has announced a $310 million payment for the acquisition of long‑lead items from the United Kingdom to support Australia’s future sovereign conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarine capability. Today’s announcement will directly support the manufacture of critical…

$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…

AUKUS enters new era with the arrival of UK submarine into Western Australia

HMS Anson has arrived at Western Australia’s HMAS Stirling for the first‑ever maintenance activity on a United Kingdom nuclear‑powered submarine in Australia, marking a historic step in our nation’s readiness to operate and maintain conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarines. Over the coming…

Travel to the United Kingdom

Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy MP, will travel to the United Kingdom this week.  The United Kingdom is one of our closest friends and oldest defence partner. Minister Conroy will attend the Australia-United Kingdom Defence Industry Dialogue (…

Major shipbuilding contracts underpin Army's transformation

The Albanese Government has taken another significant step towards the Australian Army’s transformation to a littoral fleet, with the signing of two key contracts for Landing Craft Heavy and Landing Craft Medium.   Together, these contracts – signed with Defence’s strategic shipbuilder…

Australian Government seeking proposals to co-invest in Aussie ingenuity through venture capital market

To turbo charge our home-grown defence industry, the Australian Government is seeking proposals from Australia’s private capital market for potential co-investments in local industry. The Albanese Government has dramatically increased funding for our defence force and we are making record…

Travel to Kiribati and Solomon Islands

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to Kiribati and Solomon Islands this week. While in Kiribati, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet with the Hon Taneti Maamau, President of Kiribati and attend an official state reception with senior ministers and officials…

Travel to Belgium and Germany

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to Belgium and Germany this week. In Brussels, the Deputy Prime Minister will attend the 33rd Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, co-chaired by the United Kingdom and Germany.The Ukraine Defence Contact Group…

Defence launches new space roles in the ADF

One small step into space operations means a giant leap in capability for our ADF. Today I can announce that Australians gravitating towards a career in the ADF can now apply for a job in Defence’s new frontier of space. Direct-entry recruitment is now open for two new roles, Space Operations…