Media releases

Albanese Government support for Austal's United States expansion

The Albanese Government welcomes Export Finance Australia’s credit approved loan facility of up to US$150 million to shipbuilder Austal to help it expand its shipyard in Alabama in the United States.  Austal is an Australian success story, and support from Export Finance Australia will help it…

Albanese Government supporting Pacific partners through investment in regional maritime security

The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to double funding for the aerial surveillance component of the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP). The PMSP aerial surveillance program supports maritime security for our Pacific partners through the provision of fixed-…

Australia deepens collaboration with NATO and takes further action to hold Russia to account

The Albanese Government is deepening Australia’s cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and taking further action to support Ukraine and hold Russia to account for its illegal and immoral war. During the NATO Leaders’ Summit in The Hague, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister…

Travel to the United Kingdom and The Netherlands

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, will travel to the United Kingdom and The Netherlands this week. In London, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey, to discuss our defence partnership and key strategic…

RAAF Base Richmond to celebrate 100 years with airshow

The Albanese Government is proud to announce that the RAAF Base Richmond will celebrate its 100th anniversary with the RAAF Richmond Airshow at the base this September.  The local community and attendees will have the chance to experience the Air Force flying shows and ground exhibits…

Key milestone in development of Australian made combat drone

The Australian made and designed autonomous aircraft, MQ-28A Ghost Bat, has achieved a major capability milestone, backed by the Albanese Government’s $1 billion investment in developing this next generation combat drone. The Ghost Bat is the first military combat aircraft to be designed,…

Australia signs long-range precision strike missile agreement with the United States

The Albanese Government has taken the next important step towards increasing the Australian Defence Force’s long-range strike capabilities and supporting domestic defence industry, with the establishment of a new cooperative program with the United States for the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).…

Joint Media Release: Maldives to receive Guardian-class Patrol Boat from Australia

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles and Maldives Minister of Defence, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, are proud to announce Australia will gift an Australian-built Guardian-class Patrol Boat to Maldives.  This announcement is a key milestone in our bilateral…

Travel to South and Southeast Asia

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to South and Southeast Asia from 2-5 June 2025 for high-level meetings.  The Deputy Prime Minister will meet leaders and counterparts in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia as part of the Government’…

2025 Shangri-La Dialogue

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, will attend the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from 30 May ‑ 1 June 2025, making this his fourth attendance as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. Convened by the International Institute for Strategic…

Supporting recovery efforts in flood affected New South Wales

The Albanese Government is standing with communities impacted by devastating floods in the Hunter and Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, with further support activated to help people get back on their feet.From Tuesday 27th May, Australian Defence Force personnel alongside members of…

Albanese Government investment in defence industry provides critical support for local manufacturing and jobs

The Albanese Government has awarded grants to more than 50 businesses across the country that provide priority defence capabilities with the funding supporting hundreds of jobs and a future made in Australia. The first rounds of the Defence Industry Development Grants program have been completed,…