Speeches

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…

Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

People are our most important Australian Defence capability.  The resilience, dedication and professionalism of the Defence and veteran community underpin our national security.  We want Australians to be attracted to serving our nation in our Australian Defence Force, and confident that…

Keynote, Hunter Defence Conference

The Hunter Defence Conference is one of the first events to go into my calendar each year. But I know the work of the Hunter Defence Taskforce isn’t just limited to this one event… …it’s a year round endeavour, supporting the more than 10,000 people in the Hunter who work for Defence or defence…

Pac Pacific Hotel, Perth

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.  I also pay my respects to all our serving personnel, those that have served and the families who support them. Distinguished guests,  A special…

Address to the Queensland Media Club 'Delivering Australia's Defence Capability'

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. As the Minister for Defence Industry, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in the…

HMAS Arafura Commissioning

I thank the Whadjuk Elders for their Welcome to Country, and acknowledge the Whadjuk people as the traditional owners of the greater Fremantle/Walyalup area.  I also acknowledge all those who have served, or continue to serve our nation in uniform, and the families who support them who join us…

Address to the Australia India Institute Trilateral Maritime Security Dialogue

It is a pleasure to join you this morning for this Trilateral Maritime Security Dialogue, and to speak to you on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. It gives me an opportunity to reconnect with my former parliamentary colleague Lisa Singh, now doing such important work…

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…

Keynote address at 2025 ASPI Defence Conference: Preparedness and Resilience

I begin by acknowledging the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.  As the Minister for Defence Industry, I pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who…

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…