Speeches

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…

Address at Astra Aerolab, Williamtown

Thank you very much. And I start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Worimi people. And pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. Thank you, Ian, for your introduction. I acknowledge my good friend and fierce advocate for the Australian defence industry,…

Address to the National Press Club

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the land we meet on … and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the Australian Capital Territory and region. I pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who…

Guardian-Class Patrol Boat handover to Tuvalu of HMTSS Te Mataili III

I’d like to thank Matthew McGuire for his Welcome to Country, And acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.  I also pay my respects to all those who have served our nation in the past and…

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 Hunter Defence Conference Gala Dinner

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the Hunter Valley, the Wonnarua Nation, and I pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.  As the Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and…

Address to the British Chamber of Commerce

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. As Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have…

Defence Industry Development Strategy Summit

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present. As the Minister for Defence Industry and Delivery Capability Delivery, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and…