Speeches

82nd Anniversary of The Bombing of Darwin

I want to begin by acknowledging the Larrakia People, 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. 82…

National Statement at United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial, Accra, Ghana

I am honoured to speak on behalf of Australia, and I begin by thanking Ghana for hosting this Ministerial Meeting. The UN was founded in the wake of the devastating experiences of the Second World War with the purpose of maintaining international peace and protecting the human rights of all. But…

National statement at United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial, Environmental Management in Peacekeeping, Accra, Ghana

I thank the United States for the opportunity to make this statement on behalf of Australia. Australia has been active in the UN’s peacebuilding agenda since its inception, including addressing the underlying factors that contribute to conflict. Today, we see increasing evidence that climate…

National statement at United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial, Women in Peacekeeping, Accra, Ghana

I thank Sweden for hosting this event, and am honoured to take this opportunity to speak on behalf of Australia. Australia is committed to the full implementation of the women, peace and security agenda and proud of the tremendous contribution made by our Defence women to peacekeeping. Major…

Address to the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 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, present and emerging. As the Minister for Defence Industry, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women…

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 ACT and region. As Minister for Defence Industry, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men…

Launching the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) Cadet Youth Development Continuum

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land and waters where we meet today, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and I pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. As the Assistant Minister for Defence, Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Assistant…

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia Industry Briefing: Defence Estate Audit

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and I pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. As the Assistant Minister for Defence, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and…

Official opening of the inaugural Navy Life Expo

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Gadigal people of Eora Nation, and pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. As the Assistant Minister for Defence, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and…

Address to the Indo-Pacific Sea Power Conference

Can I start by acknowledging the Gadigal people, that traditional owners of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to their elders past and present. Can I acknowledge Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, the Chief of Royal Australian Navy. Can I acknowledge Vice Admiral Rtd. Tim Barrett who is…

Indo-Pacific 2023 Admiral's Reception

Thank you Uncle Shane for your Welcome to Country, and I too acknowledge the Gadigal people of Eora Nation and pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. As the Assistant Minister for Defence, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have…

Official Opening of the Kokoda Gallery & World War II Exhibition, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Good evening. I would like to acknowledge the Honourable James Marape MP, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. The Honourable Isi Henry Leonard MP, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. On a grassy knoll, in the heart of the Owen Stanley…