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Australian troops are one step closer to the latest technology to combat the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), after the United States Congress was notified of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) request to acquire JCREW next-generation electronic countermeasure systems. Subject to Congressional approval, the Australian Government will begin the procurement of the jamming devices as part of Stage One of the Joint Counter Improvised Explosive Device Capability Project (LAND 154 Phase 4).

The Turnbull Government has today welcomed the findings of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) report on the Future Submarine Competitive Evaluation Process. Minister for Defence Industry said the ANAO Report has independently verified that Defence effectively designed and implemented a competitive evaluation process to select an international partner for the Future Submarine Program. “The ANAO’s findings clearly demonstrate that the Competitive Evaluation Process was a fit-for-purpose process and was effectively implemented by Defence,” Minister Pyne said.

The Government today received the National Mental Health Commission’s (NMHC) review of suicide and self-harm services for veterans and members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Dan Tehan and Minister for Health Greg Hunt acknowledged receipt of the review. “The Government has a responsibility to the men and women who defend our nation and we are committed to addressing veteran and ADF suicide,” Mr Tehan said.

The Albanese Government has today released its response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, setting out a plan for real, meaningful and enduring reform for Defence personnel, veterans and families.

The defence of Australia, its people and its interests is a government’s most important responsibility. Australians should be assured that their Parliament has an important role in debating matters of national importance, including Australia’s involvement in international armed conflict.

The Albanese Government has tabled in Parliament the review of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 and the Government’s response to it. 

Holden Hill, South Australia   Thank you, Sir Angus Houston, for your introduction. Let me begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet — the Kaurna people — and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. I would like to acknowledge the:

Community groups that support Australian Defence Force (ADF) families today received a funding boost under the Government’s Family Support Funding Program (FSFP). Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the supplementary grants would assist nine not-for-profit organisations which had been affected by the challenges of this year to provide programs and activities that support the wellbeing of ADF families.

AUSTRALIAN Defence Force (ADF) families will benefit from more than $1.4 million in grants provided to organisations across the nation as part of the Family Support Funding Program. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the program provided vital funding that allowed community organisations to deliver support and services of value to Defence families and strengthen relationships with the Defence community.

SUBJECTS: AUKUS; Prime Minister’s trip to India; Defence Act reform; Calls for public feedback on key changes to Defence legislation; Defence Strategic Review.

 SUBJECTS: AUKUS; Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment; Online Casinos; Safeguard Mechanism.

SUBJECTS: Recruiting of ex-ADF personnel; Australian-American relationship; Estimates; Defence Strategic Review; AUKUS; Port of Darwin

Assistant Defence Minister and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Alex Hawke MP, together with Fijian Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs, the Hon Inia Seruiratu, today turned the first sod for a major upgrade to Stanley Brown Wharf in Suva, Fiji. The redeveloped Stanley Brown Wharf will provide safe and secure berthing for the new Guardian-class Patrol Boats to be delivered under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.

9am on Tuesday 9 April 2019 at the University of Adelaide  

The Albanese Government continues to invest in attracting and training the next generation of Navy Submariners in the Australian Defence Force, with work starting on a new training facility at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS partnership will require growing and training Australia’s future AUKUS workforce.  

The Morrison Government is committed to building an Australian workforce with thenecessary skills and capabilities to develop advanced technologies, drive innovation andmeet the nation’s future defence and national security needs. Minister for Defence the Hon Peter Dutton MP has announced the creation of morethan 300 scholarships over the next five years to grow Australia’s nuclear science andengineering workforce.

Joint Media Release Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham   A major milestone has been reached on Australia’s journey to become a top ten global defence exporter. Today we announce the Defence Export Facility will support the export of sophisticated Australian radar systems and patrol boats. This support for Australian defence industry will help create and support Australian jobs.

The Morrison Government is continuing to invest in Australia’s defence industry, helping businesses create new jobs and develop their pioneering ideas through the Defence Innovation Hub.Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, today announced eight new contracts worth more than $21 million, funded under the Government’s flagship $640 million defence innovation program.“This latest funding boost will see the development of cutting edge space, cyber and maritime technologies,” Minister Price said.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, today announced the release of the 2018-19 Defence Industry and Innovation Programs Annual Report.The Report provides details of the progress and achievements of the Coalition Government’s key Defence industry and innovation programs.Minister Price said over $120 million in research and innovation contracts were awarded to industry, universities, and publicly funded research agencies during the year.

Joint media release Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Melissa Price MP   The Morrison Government is investing an unprecedented $75 billion in Australia’s maritime capabilities over the next decade, including more than $50 billion in the regeneration and expansion of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) maritime platforms through the naval shipbuilding enterprise.

Joint media release The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for International Development and the Pacifc Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP and Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP met with a number of defence industry representatives at a roundtable event in Adelaide. 

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, together with Air Vice Marshal Steven Roberton, Air Commander Australia; today welcomed the full fleet of EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft to RAAF Base Amberley. Since the first two Growlers arrived in Australia in February 2017, the fleet has grown to the full twelve aircraft. Minister Payne said the arrival of the Growler provides a potent and technologically advanced new capability for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). 

Joint Media Release Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSCMinister for Defence Industry The Australian Government’s recent boost to security in the Pacific has been demonstrated by the gifting of a Guardian-class patrol boat, the Te Mataili II, to the Government of Tuvalu today in Western Australia. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the second patrol boat to be gifted under the Pacific Maritime Security Program’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project was an important part of regional security.

Today Samoa formally received the Guardian-class Patrol Boat, the Nafanua III, handed over by the Australian Government. The Nafanua III was officially received by the Hon Harry Jeffrey, Minister for Police and Prisons and Auapaau Logotino Filipo, Police Commissioner on behalf of the Samoan Government at a ceremony in Perth.

**Check against delivery** Thank you very much, Matt, for that very generous introduction and Bula Vinaka everybody! Welcome and good morning. I’d like to begin by thanking Matthew for your wonderful Welcome to Country and making us all feel so welcome here this morning, and I do pay my deepest respects to your ancestors and also to all of the traditional custodians, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, so thank you for that very warm welcome this morning.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Whadjuk Noongar people, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. As the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in the past and continue to do so today. Thank you Matthew McGuire for the Acknowledgement of Country.

I’d like to thank Matthew McGuire for his Welcome to Country, And acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.  I also pay my respects to all those who have served our nation in the past and continue to do so today. I extend a very warm, West Australian welcome to the Prime Minister of Tuvalu the Honourable Feleti Teo OBE and Mrs Tausaga Teo;

Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles met with Minister for Internal Affairs, the Hon Andrew Napuat in Cairns to mark the return of Vanuatu’s Guardian-class Patrol Boat, RVS Takuare. RVS Takuare has been undergoing repairs to the hull and an internal fit-out after the vessel suffered catastrophic damage during Cyclone Kevin in 2023.

Right here and right now, Australia is at the centre of an ever-changing, and at times, challenging strategic defence environment.  As a national Government, our priority is to ensure we are prepared for whatever the world might throw at us. That preparation includes making sure the Australian Defence Force is trained, equipped and ready to mobilise. COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of domestic self-reliance as supply chains are disrupted around the world.

SUBJECTS: Resignation of U.K. Prime Minister; Australia-China relations; Russia-Ukraine conflict; Pacific Islands Forum; Engagement in the Pacific; Bernard Collaery case.