Speeches

Speech to the America250 Reception, Washington DC

Good evening everyone, It is indeed a privilege to represent Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, at tonight’s reception. I also want to thank the Australian-American Leadership Dialogue for bringing us together once again. In particular, I acknowledge Julie and Phil Scanlan, and my former…

National Press Club Address: Progressive Patriotism

It’s great to be back at the National Press Club for my third address as Defence Industry Minister. I’m proud to have served in this capacity for more than four years now… and to be the longest-running Minister for Defence Industry since the 1950s. Stability in the Defence portfolio has been…

Speech and Q&A to the Defence and Industry Conference, Canberra

SUBJECTS: Department of Defence reforms. MARK BERETTA, HOST: Now, to open our conference, our first speaker – we’re very pleased to have him – is the Minister for Defence Industry. The Honourable Pat Conroy, MP, is Australia’s longest serving Minister for Defence Industry, appointed in 2022.…

Speech to the McKell Institute, Sydney

I want to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to Elders past and present. I also acknowledge all those who have served, or continue to serve our nation in uniform, and the families who support them.IntroductionIt is a pleasure to…

Opening of WA Submarine Discovery Centre

MEMBER FOR BRAND, MADELEINE KING: I want to start by thanking Deputy Mayor Barry Winmar, Deputy Mayor of Kwinana, for that really kind and generous welcome- thanks, Barry. It was such a great contributor to the community of Kwinana, but the whole state, and always very generous, and you're welcome…

Speech to the 2026 Defending Australia Summit

*** CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY *** Can I acknowledge Sam Paparo in absentia? We are enormously lucky to have Sam Paparo as the Commander of the Indo-Pacific Command. So, much of what we do in terms of the way in which we think about the operational footprint of the Australian Defence Force is done in…

Address to the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue: Plenary Session Three

Thank you to the IISS for convening this Dialogue, and for the opportunity to speak on cooperative maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. This is the fifth Shangri-La Dialogue I have attended as Australia’s Defence Minister — and in that time the conversations have grown more urgent. The questions…

Speech at the Defence Australia Summit, Adelaide

Australia has not been a direct participant in the conflict in the Middle East and we were not a party to its commencement. But that conflict is most definitely impacting Australia, as it is our region, as it is the world. And we very much support the strategic intent of denying Iran a deployable…

Anzac Day Dawn Service, Geelong, Victoria

Can I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay my respect to elders past and present.  Can I acknowledge Mark Lee, the President of the Geelong sub-branch for the RSL, Chris Couzens, the state Member for Geelong, Stretch Kontelj, the Mayor of Geelong and…

Anzac Day Dawn Service, Isurava, Papua New Guinea

Good morning. Today, in cities and towns back home and around the world, Australians are remembering the service and sacrifice of all those who have, and continue to serve our country in wars, conflicts, and peace operations. Places where Australians have served that have become ingrained in…

Address to the Lest We Forget Sunset Tribute

Can I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay my respect to elders past and present.  Can I thank the Australian Remembrance Foundation for holding this event, and can I acknowledge the many very distinguished guests who join us this evening. On this 111th…

Speech to the National Press Club

I would also like to acknowledge the aviators of the Australian Defence Force currently patrolling the skies of the Middle East to help protect the United Arab Emirates, including tens of thousands of Australians, from Iranian missile and drone attacks over much of the last month. Their work has…