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SUBJECTS: ROYAL COMMISSION INTO DEFENCE AND VETERAN SUICIDE INTERIM REPORT ANDY PARK: Matt Keogh is the Veterans Affairs Minister. Welcome to RN Drive. You've already apologised for defence failings today. Just what were you apologising for?

SUBJECTS: Partnering in the Indo-Pacific; cooperation between the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific theatres; influence of Ukraine War on Indo-Pacific.SPEAKER: Hi everybody, welcome back from the break, and thank you to […] Studio Bravo for leading another thought-provoking conversation, which leads us seamlessly into the next important theme on today's Plenary Program; security in the Euro‑Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are increasingly interconnected. 

SUBJECTS: Middle East conflict; South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting.   PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: Richard Marles is the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence. He joined me a short time ago from New Zealand, where he's meeting regional counterparts. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, welcome back to the program. RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Thanks, Patricia. Good to talk with you.

SUBJECTS: Support for Ukraine; Russia-Ukraine conflict; AUKUS; Submarines; Taiwan; Foreign Minister meeting Chinese counterpart

SUBJECTS: Taipan helicopter crash, MRH-90 Taipan helicopter operations. PETER STEFANOVIC, HOST: Let's go back to Canberra now. Joining us live, the Minister for Defence Personnel. This is in regards, obviously, to our top story, Matt Keogh. Matt, good to see you this morning. Thanks for your time. Can I just ask what the latest information you have when it comes to that widened search off central Queensland this morning?

SUBJECTS: ROYAL COMMISSION INTO DEFENCE AND VETERAN SUICIDE INTERIM REPORT

SUBJECTS: Taipan helicopter crash, MRH-90 Taipan helicopter operations, defence acquisition. KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: Sydney soldiers lost after an army helicopter crash off North Queensland have now been identified.

Australia is facing the most difficult strategic circumstances since the Second World War. To meet these challenges we must invest in Defence, including through the acceleration of important capabilities and activities, and the reprioritisation of those which are no longer fit for purpose.

The Albanese Government is investing an additional $272 million to support local defence industry and Australian jobs, through the procurement of up to 14 multi-mission phased array radars (MMPARs) for the Australian Army.  Canberra-based CEA Technologies will produce the phased array radars, which will support Army’s long-range fires capability and provide greater monitoring of potential threats, across an integrated, focused Defence Force. 

The Albanese Government will invest more than $600 million to extend and expand the Continuation Bonus for permanent members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and increase the ADF’s Operational Reserves by an additional 1,000 personnel to ensure we can grow and maintain a highly skilled Defence workforce.

The Morrison Government has awarded $130,000 in grants to two small businesses looking to build their export capability, as part of a strategic approach to growing Australia’s defence industry exports. The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, today announced the latest recipients of the Defence Global Competitiveness Grants. “The Defence Global Competitiveness Grants seek to build a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive Australian defence industry by supporting small businesses to build export capability,” Minister Price said.

  The Defence Innovation Hub has awarded contracts worth $27 million to ten Australian businesses, including a Tasmanian research organisation. The Australian Government is committed to building strong partnerships with Australian innovators to deliver world leading capability for the Australian Defence Force. “Investing in Australian innovation is critical to building our national defence capability,” said Minister Conroy.

Veteran-owned Melbourne company SORD Australia has been awarded a $338,000 contract to develop a Concussion Reduction Helmet that aims to better protect members of the Australian Defence Force. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP announced the Defence Innovation Hub contract with SORD Australia today. “The Morrison Government continues to invest in innovation to ensure a smarter and stronger Australian Defence Force by supporting Australian small and medium enterprises to develop technology useful to the warfighter,” Minister Price said.

The Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, and Premier of South Australia, the Hon Peter Malinauskas MP today released the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report and Action Plan, delivering a detailed strategy to grow and sustain South Australia’s defence industry workforce for the future.

The Albanese Government is investing more than $300 million to transform air mission training, ensuring our Defence personnel are ready for the challenges of tomorrow. The Future Air Mission Training System (F-AMTS) will increase Defence’s aircrew training capacity by up to 70 per cent, using cutting-edge simulation, modern courseware, and real-world training to prepare crews for advanced platforms such as the MC-55A Peregrine and MQ-4C Triton. 

DEFENCE is seeking an industry partner to acquire a new system to improve the delivery of health care to Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel.Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel, Darren Chester said the new Health Knowledge Management system will continue to put patients first by improving the management of their health information.“This project is a significant Government investment in the health and wellbeing of Defence personnel and will provide members with a modern and innovative health system,” Mr Chester said.

Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan said Australia was proud of the 10 soldiers who will be awarded military medals by the Governor-General His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) on Tuesday (8 November 2016) for their actions in the Battle of Long Tan.

The Victoria Cross for Australia has been formally presented to the family of the late Private Richard Norden, in recognition for his bravery and dedication to service during the Vietnam War. Private Norden’s gallantry during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral in Vietnam in 1968 has never been forgotten. In November last year, Governor-General, the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC announced that His Majesty The King had approved the awarding of the Victoria Cross for Australia for Private Norden.

Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reaffirm the economic benefits of the Government’s investments in growing our defence industry. The Australian Defence Industry Account (ADIA) data for 2022-23 shows the contribution from Australia’s defence industry to the national economy grew by 4.1 per cent on the previous year. The number of people directly employed in the defence industry grew by 3,800 jobs, an increase of 6 per cent, with 2,000 jobs added in New South Wales.

Joint Media Release:  Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women, Senator for New South Wales, Senator the Hon Marise Payne The Morrison Government has awarded a job-creating $2.13 million contract to a Hawkesbury-based engineering consultancy to continue its development of a unique lightweight armour for the C-130J Hercules airlifter aircraft.

The Albanese Government is investing tens of billions of dollars to enhance defence infrastructure and capabilities in the Northern Territory, making Australians safer while supporting thousands of local jobs.

Joint media release Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Melissa Price MP   The Liberal National Government is investing in capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to rapidly and independently support a range of operations in the region including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, peacekeeping and warfighting.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP today announced the Government’s investment priorities for the Defence Innovation Hub for the coming year. Minister Pyne said the Government invested $1.6 billion into defence industry and innovation over the next decade, including $640 million to support the development of innovative technologies through the Defence Innovation Hub.

Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced the Government’s 2018-19 investment priorities for the Defence Innovation Hub. Minister Pyne said the Government was investing $1.6 billion in defence industry and innovation over the next decade, including $640 million to support the development of innovative technologies through the Defence Innovation Hub. “The Government’s approach to innovation in Defence is driven by its Defence Strategy, ensuring innovation investment is linked to our capability priorities,” Minister Pyne said.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne today presented Australia’s Invictus Games team with their official team uniforms ahead of their departure to the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. Forty-three serving and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill in service will compete in the international adaptive multi-sports competition that brings together more than 550 serving and former serving military personnel from 17 nations.

The achievements of Australia’s inspiring 2017 Invictus Games team have been celebrated during a welcome home function at Parliament House today. Australia’s team of 43 athletes joined more than 550 competitors from 17 nations who have been wounded, injured and ill during their service.  The athletes returned home with 51 medals and numerous personal best performances from the Games in Toronto, Canada, last month.

The achievements of Australia’s inspiring 2017 Invictus Games team have been celebrated during a welcome home function at Parliament House today. Australia’s team of 43 athletes joined more than 550 competitors from 17 nations who have been wounded, injured and ill during their service.  The athletes returned home with 51 medals and numerous personal best performances from the Games in Toronto, Canada, last month.

Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan said serving and former serving military personnel were competing for a spot in the Australian team to compete at the 2017 Invictus Games. Mr Tehan said 53 athletes were competing in a range of events as part of a training camp in Canberra, with the final team of 43 to be named later this year.

Team Australia celebrated their Invictus Games success at a spectacular Closing Ceremony in Dusseldorf, Germany last night. One of the standout performances at the Games came from Erin Brigden, who spent nearly a decade in the Australian Army before medically transitioning to civilian life 18-months ago.

AUSTRALIA is all set to host the fourth Invictus Games in Sydney from 20 to 27 October 2018. As the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 begins tonight with the Opening Ceremony at the Sydney Opera House, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel Darren Chester has welcomed competitors and their family and friends to Sydney.  “On behalf of the Australian Government, I am honoured to welcome all competitors and their supporters to Sydney and I wish them the best of luck in the coming events,” Mr Chester said.