Speeches

Malaysia-Australia Defence Alumni Association ANZAC Day Dinner

General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman, Chief of Defence Force, Malaysian Armed Forces, Her Excellency Danielle Heinecke, High Commissioner of Australia, Veterans, distinguished guests, past and serving members of the Malaysian Armed Forces and Australian Defence Force, ladies and…

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…

Anzac Day Dawn Service, Sandakan Memorial Park

As the sun pierces the horizon a new day dawns. But for Australians April 25 is no ordinary day. Across Australia and the world, Australians gather at dawn in solemnity to pay our respects to and to thank those who have served our nation, particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. …

Anzac Day commemorative service at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway

Anzac Day is of the deepest significance for our nation.  It is the day when we pause to remember the more than 2 million Australians who have served our nation at home and abroad, during times of war and peace.  An estimated 625 of those Australians were killed and some 1,600 were…

Launch of the National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program

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

The Sydney Institute

Let me begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we gather today, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in the…

Launch of the 'The Local Fallen' memorial banners

I want to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today, and pay my respect to their 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. Jim Commins was born in…

Address to the ADM (Australian Defence Magazine) 30 Under 30 Awards

I begin by acknowledging the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.  As the Assistant Minister for Defence and the Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, I also…

Address to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Defence Industry development conference

I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of Dharawal Country and pay my respects to Elders past and present. 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 past and continue to do so today.…

Opening of the UNSW Innovation Centre

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Bedegal people, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. As the Assistant Minister for Defence, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in the past and…

Address to the sufferings of war and service ceremony

I would like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. I also acknowledge all those who have, or continue to serve our nation in uniform, and the families who support them. Today…

People, power, posture - modernising the Australian Defence Force to meet the challenges of the future

I acknowledge that we are on Ngunnawal land and pay my respects to elder's past, present and emerging. As the Assistant Minister for Defence and the Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in…