Speeches

Address to 2025 Indo Pacific Conference breakfast

So welcome everyone today to the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2025 and the accompanying Royal Australian Navy's Sea Power conference.  And quite literally, Indo Pac 2025 is bigger and better than it has ever been.  On the Navy side of the house, last count, there are 58…

Opening of the Vuvale Maritime Essential Services Centre

Can I start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and honour them. And can I also acknowledge the traditional chiefs, pay my respects, and thank everyone for the beautiful welcome that we received this morning. The culture and custom that was placed on display is not…

Remarks on the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea independence

In the life of one man or one woman, 50 years is a long time. But in the life of a nation, it is just the beginning.  And because 50 years sits within the span of the life of one man or one woman, there are people here today who were here on that day — when the Australian flag was lowered for…

Defending Australia 2025 Summit

Can I acknowledge both The Australian and The Adelaide Advertiser, and thank Michelle Gemma for the contributions you've made in putting on today.  It really is an annual event now, which is very important in the national discourse around defence policy.  I know that for a participant in…

Address at 2025 Shangri-la Dialogue Plenary Session 3: Managing proliferation risks in the Asia-Pacific

I am delighted to be back at the Shangri La Dialogue, my fourth as Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence.  It is a credit to the Government of Singapore and the IISS that the Dialogue has become the indispensable forum to talk about Indo-Pacific security.  Our…

Launch of the 2025 Avalon Air Show

This is the 16th edition of the Air Show, and we are really excited. For me, it's my world's colliding – it's where I'm both Minister for Defence but also the local member. And from the perspective of Defence, this is a really significant event. As Justin said, there will be 900 exhibitors, which…

Bombing of Darwin anniversary

I acknowledge the Larrakeyah people and pay my respects to their elders; past, present and emerging. Can I acknowledge all the service men and women who wear their nation’s uniform, dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen here today.  83 years ago, on this day, a distant, growing noise across the…

Opening of the redeveloped Cook Barracks

This is such a delight. As the High Commissioner has said, this is the single biggest investment that Australia has made here in Vanuatu – $106 million across the Tiroas Barracks in Santo, which I had the honour of visiting last year, and here at Cook Barracks in Port Vila. And the vast bulk of…

Opening of Hanwha Defence Australia’s Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence

This is a wonderful moment. When we look back at this moment, it will be seen as one of the most significant days in Geelong’s economic history. We have been known as a builder of motor vehicles. Ford came here in 1928. And when Ford in 2013 announced that it would no longer be manufacturing motor…

Address to the Shangri-La Dialogue

Thank you to the IISS for convening the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue, the third I have attended as Australia’s Defence Minister.  I would like to acknowledge generational leadership change in our host country. The Indo-Pacific can now continue to benefit from the experience and wisdom of Senior…

Defending Australia Summit

Well, thank you Michelle, for that introduction. And can I thank The Australian newspaper for hosting tonight's event.  Can I also acknowledge Matt Anderson and Kim Beazley and thank them for hosting us here at this, Australia's most sacred public site, the Australian War Memorial, and in…

Anzac Day Dawn Service, Commemorative Address, Gallipoli, Türkiye

109 years ago; on this day, at this time, at this place, the spirit of Anzac was born.  Millions of Australians and New Zealanders have already risen this morning to attended services across our nations – to pay their respects, to express their gratitude and to identify with an intangible that…