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  2. Senator the Hon David Fawcett
Senator David Fawcett

Senator the Hon David Fawcett

Assistant Minister for Defence

Media contacts

  • Mike Banham (Senator Fawcett’s office): (02) 6277 3409
  • Defence Media: (02) 6127 1999, media [at] defence.gov.au

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David Julian Fawcett (BSc, MBA, MAICD, QTP, psc) served in the Australian Defence Force for over 22 years. An Army pilot, he flew helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and was the Senior Flying Instructor at the School of Army Aviation in Queensland. 

Graduating as an experimental test pilot from the Empire Test Pilots’ School (UK), he finished his full time career in Defence as the Commanding Officer of the RAAF Aircraft Research and Development Unit. 

Elected to the House of Representatives as the Member for Wakefield (SA) in 2004, he served in the Parliament until 2007. David continued to fly as a test pilot and ran a small business working in the Defence and Aviation sectors prior to being elected to the Senate in 2010 and again in 2016. Upon the instalment of the Morrison Ministry in August 2018, David became the Assistant Minister for Defence. 

David’s experience in aviation has helped to facilitate change in Australia’s aviation policy and approach to aviation safety regulation. With tertiary qualifications in science and business administration, he is known for his evidence-based approach to policy development and oversight with a focus on outcomes that are in the national interest. 

David is a strong advocate for initiatives that would lead to a more effective and efficient national defence force, including the development of a sustainable defence industry capability. His extensive and widely respected policy understanding has led to a number of appointments, including as former Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. 

As Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services in the 44th Parliament, he led an inquiry into the educational and professional standards of the financial advice industry. This body of work has been a catalyst for significant legislative and 
industry-led reforms in the finance sector. 

Having lived in Asia, the UK and across Australia, David is proud to call South Australia home. He is a keen sailor and is married to Lorna with two adult daughters.

Construction of the Defence High Performance Computing Centre

10 April 2019

Defence Force School of Signals Redevelopment Project contract awarded and sod turning ceremony

9 April 2019

Coomunga Rifle Range approved for sale to District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula

2 April 2019

National Security and Relationships Key to Coexistence in Woomera Prohibited Area

29 March 2019

Contract awarded on the North Queensland Mid-Term Refresh Program

29 March 2019

Maryborough Rifle Range Sold to Fraser Coast Regional Council

26 March 2019

Contract Awarded for Second Stage of Infrastructure Works at Garden Island

25 March 2019

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View full list of Minister media release by Senator the Hon David Fawcett

Submarine Institute of Australia conference opening address

7 November 2018

Defence Innovation Network Event

16 October 2018

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View full list of Minister speech by Senator the Hon David Fawcett

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Interview - ABC Radio Newcastle - PFAS

5 December 2018

IFRS UAAV Navy Paper Launch

4 December 2018

DTC Award Night Speech

9 November 2018

Announcement of the winner of the 2018 Minister's award for achievement in Defence Science

6 November 2018

Armistice breakfast speech

1 November 2018

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View full list of Minister transcript by Senator the Hon David Fawcett

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