Speeches

Speech to the Hunter Defence Conference

Introduction I say it every year, but I will say it again – the Hunter Defence Conference really is the best defence industry gathering in Australia. The Hunter has been the jewel in the crown for defending Australia since our earliest days, built on an incredible historical legacy. The confluence…

Speech to the Defence Industry and Capability Forum, Sydney

This forum could not come at a more challenging time. Strong defence of our country—including the need to invest in our defence industry, people and systems—is a critical part of our response to that challenge.After all, the first responsibility of any government is to protect the nation’s people,…

Hunter class frigate keel laying ceremony

I am delighted to be here at this keel laying ceremony for NUSHIP Hunter. It is a highly symbolic day for our Navy, for the Defence ecosystem and for South Australia. It further strengthens the State’s role as a national centre for complex naval shipbuilding and supporting skilled Australian jobs…

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…