Speeches

Address at the 25th Anniversary of the Black Hawk Disaster Townsville

Ladies and gentlemen, we gather today to remember and recognise the 25th anniversary of the 1996 Black Hawk disaster. This tragic incident claimed the lives of 18 of Australia’s finest. It remains the worst military aviation loss of life in our peacetime history. The events of 12 June 1996 left a…

Shape, Deter, Respond: ASPI Conference 2021

Thank you to ASPI for the opportunity to address your ‘Shape, Deter, Respond’ conference. My apologies for not being able to attend in person. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a time of utmost importance for our nation. Australia is confronting changes in our strategic environment that are disruptive…

Address to Australian Strategic Policy Institute Conference, Canberra

It’s a pleasure to be back at ASPI.  And for the first time in my capacity as the Minister for Defence. Thank you very much to Executive Director Peter Jennings for the kind introduction, and to your leadership of this organisation. I’d also like to acknowledge the great many ADF, Departmental,…

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CANBERRA, ACT WEDNESDAY 2 JUNE 2021

I thank the Member for Clark and the Member for Kennedy for moving this motion. I well know their keen interest in this matter – and it is an interest that I share. It is an interest that many Australians share. Members may recall I made comments on this matter some years ago as a backbencher and…

Opening address - Land Forces Australia 2021

[Check against delivery] Being a good neighbour has never been more important. Regional military modernisation is increasing. Disruptive technologies are emerging. Strategic competition is intensifying. Of course, a lot of this is not new.  But today, it’s amplified in our increasingly connected,…

Defence Connect Budget Lunch, Canberra

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. It’s great to be here today for the Defence Connect Budget Lunch… After my good friend and colleague the Treasurer delivered yet another historic Budget to drive our economic recovery. It really is the Budget for our times. And can I tell you when I attended…

Defence Industry Skilling and Workforce Summit pre-recorded address

Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour to open the second National Defence Industry Skilling and Workforce Summit. While COVID continues to keep us apart – the upside is that we’re all becoming more skilled in online presentations. The inaugural summit, held in person in Perth in 2019, was a…

Opening remarks - 2021 Australian Cyber Conference

**Proofed against delivery** Thank you very much Juanita and good morning to you all. It’s great to be with you all and I’m very happy to be here to open the 2021 Australian Cyber Conference here in Canberra. I’m humbled to be here with such an innovative and influential group of people this…

Australian Defence Information and Electronic Systems Association (ADIESA) Annual dinner

***Check against delivery*** Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a great pleasure to be invited to this year’s Annual Dinner. This is my first time attending this dinner as Minister for Defence Industry, so it’s wonderful that we can come together despite the challenges posed by COVID. I would like to thank…

F-35 industry achievements

***Check against delivery***  Good morning ladies and gentlemen – and welcome. Firstly, I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people who are the traditional custodians of this land and I pay respect to their Elders past and present. And as the Minister for Defence, I also pay my deepest respects to…

Launch of Defence Transformation Strategy

***Check against delivery***   Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Thank you Katherine for your kind words of introduction. I acknowledge the Ngunnawal People, the Traditional Owners of this land, and I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. As Minister for Defence, I also pay my…

Business News Breakfast, Perth

***Check against delivery*** Good morning ladies and gentlemen. And it’s wonderful to see so many friends and colleagues from many aspects of my life and from business here in Western Australia. And thank you Sean for that warm and short introduction – thank you. Firstly, I acknowledge the…