Search

The Royal Australian Navy will use an innovative new data analytics system to improve fleet efficiency and capability as part of a new collaboration with GE and CSIRO’s Data61. The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said the GE LM2500 gas turbines that power the Adelaide and Anzac class frigates will be fitted with new sensors and coupled with advanced algorithms that will improve operational effectiveness and reduce operating costs.

SUBJECTS: Ukraine; Defence spending.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today welcomed the signing of DCNS Australian industry participation agreement. Minister Pyne said the agreement with Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) highlights DCNS’s commitment to ensuring Australian industry participation in defence construction and sustainment projects.

Joint media release Senator the Hon Sarah Henderson, Senator for Victoria The Morrison Government has signed a $5.13 million contract with Deakin University to continue its development of a cutting-edge augmented and virtual naval firefighting system for the Australian Defence Force.

It is with great sadness I acknowledge the passing of a Royal Australian Navy member. The member was deployed on Operation Resolute, the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the whole-of-government effort to protect Australia's borders and offshore maritime interests. I extend my deepest sympathies and those of the Australian Government to the member's family, colleagues and friends and I express my gratitude for the deceased member's service to our nation.

The Philippines is an important security partner for Australia, and we continue to work closely together in support of our shared commitment to an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.Today marked my first visit to the Philippines as Minister for Defence. I was pleased to be able to meet in person in Manila with my valued Philippine counterpart, Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana. In our meeting we discussed our respective COVID-19 responses and our shared commitment to regional security and stability.

Joint media release Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon Julie Bishop MP Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham Minister for Innovation and Jobs, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash  

Today I conducted my first visit to Brunei Darussalam where I held talks on key bilateral and regional issues. During my visit I had the pleasure of meeting with His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam. I also had the opportunity to meet again with my friend Second Minister of Defence, Pehin Halbi, to continue our productive discussion on our bilateral defence relationship.

   

***Check against delivery***  Thank you for that warm welcome, and good morning to you all. Firstly, I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land from where I am speaking today – and that is the Wadjuk people of the Noongar nation. I pay my respects to their elders, past and present.

National Convention Centre, Canberra   ***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY***   Thank you very much Mark for the introduction. I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet — the Ngunnawal people — and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. I acknowledge my federal colleagues here tonight – both from the Senate and the House. I also want to recognise and thank all current and former service men and women here tonight.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today attended a ceremony at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide to mark the Government’s provisional acceptance of the first Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Hobart. Minister Pyne said Hobart is the first of three AWD’s being built and integrated by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance which comprises the Department of Defence, Raytheon Australia, ASC and support from Navantia.

The Albanese Government and the Northern Territory Government have today signed an agreement to establish the Defence Accommodation Precinct Darwin at Howard Springs. The agreement will enable the Department of Defence to use the Howard Springs facility as an accommodation precinct from July 2023.

Joint media release: Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price   Defence, in collaboration with Australian industry, will manufacture and deliver more than 15,000 lifesaving SILVERSHIELD units to the Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces this year.  SILVERSHIELD is the latest evolution in vehicle-mounted systems being developed under the REDWING program, which provides protection against radio-controlled improvised explosive devices.

A production-ready prototype of a new broad spectrum chemical, biological and radiological respirator filter for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will be developed with the collaboration of the Department of Defence and the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Minster for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne, MP, welcomed the signing of a $3.2 million innovation collaboration agreement between Defence and the CSIRO today.

Joint media release Michelle Landry MP, Assistant Minister for Children and Families A ceremony has been held in Rockhampton today to mark the registration of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement between Defence and the Traditional Owners of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, the Darumbal people.

[Check against delivery] Good morning everyone and welcome to the Defence and Industry Conference and Essington Lewis Awards. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the conference organisers, Tony Fraser and his team at CASG, for the great work they have done in pulling together this event. I would also like to thank Katherine and her team at Australia Defence Magazine for their excellent work as well. This has certainly been a challenging year for our defence industry, throwing unprecedented hurdles at our fellow Australians.

Joint media release Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, the Hon Karen Andrews MP   Defence has joined forces with a family-owned South Australian company to rapidly produce face shields for frontline healthcare workers.  Designed by Defence Science and Technology Group (DST), Axiom Precision Manufacturing commenced production last week, with 600 of the new face shields already being distributed.

The Australian Army has joined forces with a Brisbane-based company to rapidly produce 400 face shields for frontline healthcare workers.  Design technology company, 3D One Australia, used Army’s 3D printers from the 20th Regiment of the Royal Australian Artillery (20 RAA) to produce the face shields for medical staff in Brisbane. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said this is another example of Defence and Australia’s local manufacturing industry working together to support the Government’s response to COVID-19.

Australian companies are invited to have their say on how marine support services should be delivered in the future. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced the release of a Request for Information for the Defence Marine Support Services (DMSS) Program. The program includes services such as tugs for port movements, harbour refuelling, transport services between ships, stores and personnel transfer and aviation training.

Joint media release Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP Senator for Queensland, Senator the Hon Susan McDonald Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM MP   Defence has executed its first Deed of Access for resource extraction on Defence land near Greenvale, North Queensland, as part of the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI).

CURRENT and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), their families and ex-service organisations are being encouraged to engage with the Joint Transition Authority (JTA), which is holding a series of online consultation sessions in April and May. Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said it was essential to hear from the Defence and veteran community on how we can further improve the support they receive throughout their transition. 

The unique challenges Australian Defence Force (ADF) families experience are being recognised this week at events across Australia, as part of National Families Week.

In the latest move to scale up the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Australian Government has selected Adecco Australia as Defence’s new recruitment partner. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh said given the strategic circumstances we now face, the recruitment and retention of personnel has never been more important.

Joint Media Release The Hon Michelle Landry MPFederal Member for Capricornia Assistant Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon David Fawcett and Federal Member for Capricornia, the Hon Michelle Landry MP, today announced further support to drought-affected graziers in Queensland by facilitating grazing on Commonwealth land.  “Defence and the grazing community have worked together to make properties in the Hillview South, Hillview North and Lyndon area accessible for drought-relief grazing,” Assistant Minister Fawcett said.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today in Singapore met with around 20 of Australia’s Asia-based Defence representatives, to discuss their vital role in promoting Australian defence exports and regional industry collaboration. Defence Attachés are posted to Australia’s Embassies and High Commissions across the region and form a critical part of our Defence capability and presence overseas.

Joint media release Mr Phillip Thompson OAM MP, Member for Herbert The Townsville economy is receiving a $40 million boost through Defence works at RAAF Base Townsville, highlighting the success of the Morrison Government’s local procurement policies.   Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, said the new facilities for Defence’s CH-47 Chinook helicopters are being constructed using local companies and employees.

To help secure a workforce that better represents the diverse talent of our nation, Defence will work towards implementing a fifty per cent target for women’s participation across key research and innovation career pathways. This change will apply to Defence’s Australian Public Service (APS) science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) entry level programs, including the STEM Cadetship Program and the Research and Innovation Pathway of the Defence Graduate Program.

Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP launched the 2022 Defence Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategy and the Defence Cyber Security Strategy at a Defence ICT industry forum today. Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite said a key element of both strategies was the importance of enduring partnerships for Defence, in order to leverage the experience and expertise of industry, academia, allies and regional partners.

Defence technologies are set to take a big leap forward with a new strategic alliance between Defence Science and Technology (DST) and L3 Technologies. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said the alliance will focus research on new technologies in undersea command and control systems, spectrum sensing and shaping, and cyber assurance. “The government is investing $80 billion in Australia’s future submarines and future frigates which need to be backed with advanced maritime technologies,” Minister Pyne said.