Speeches

Address at commissioning of USS Canberra

Acknowledgments omitted. The Alliance is at the centre of Australia's national security. The Alliance is about shared values. As Australia makes common cause with a nation conceived and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. But the Alliance is also personal. The Alliance…

Remarks to Talisman Sabre opening ceremony

Can I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to elders past and present. Governor Beazley; Secretary Del Toro; Minister Pat Conroy; Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell; Secretary of the Department of Defence, Greg Moriarty; my…

Speech - Royal Military College Duntroon Graduation Parade

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. As the Minister for Defence, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women…

Opening remarks at the Pacific Fusion Centre

Can I acknowledge the Honourable, Ishmael Kalsakau the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, the Honourable Jotham Napat, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vanuatu, His Excellency Michael Aroi, Nauru’s High Commissioner to Fiji but particularly in the context of today, the Chair of the Foreign…

Speech - Shangri-La Dialogue Plenary Session Seven

Thank you to the International Institute for Strategic Studies for hosting this valuable event. This time last year I was here at the Shangri-La Dialogue for the first time as Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. It was just three weeks after the Australian Labor Government…

News Corp's Defending Australia, Australian War Memorial

Acknowledgements omitted. One year ago tomorrow the Albanese Government took office. And it has been a transformational 12 months. This time last year it was all very different. Our country was drifting in a sea of broken relationships: with major powers; with countries which should be our friends…

Speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia

I would like to begin by acknowledging the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet this morning, and pay my respects to Elders past and present. Thank you to the American Chamber of Commerce and April Palmerlee for hosting this event. I’m thrilled to be among so many…

Anzac Day remarks

I would like to thank the Wathaurong people, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet this morning. Can I acknowledge Christine Couzens, the member for Geelong. On this day we remember those who have worn, and continue to wear, our nation's uniform. Anzac Day was inspired by the First…

ASPI Sydney Dialogue

Can I start by acknowledging the Gadigal people, the traditional owners of the land on which you are all meeting this morning. And let me also acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, the traditional owners of the land from which I speak to you, right now. And in acknowledging both, say how proud I am…

Address to Defence Industry Dinner

Can I thank Peter for that introduction. And let me begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the city of Melbourne, the Wurundjeri and Bunurong peoples of the Eastern Kulin nation, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. To my parliamentary colleagues; leaders of the…

Sasakawa Peace Foundation Speech

Many thanks to Dr Sunami for the warm introduction, and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation for hosting me today.  It’s good to be among friends and here in Japan this week with my dear friend, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, for the tenth Australia-Japan 2+2 consultations with Minister Hamada and…

Address to the ACCI Business Leaders Summit 2022

Can I also start by acknowledging the Ngunnawal people, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. Can I say what a delight it is to look at a theatre full of people again, after the period of the pandemic. One of the beauties of…