Speeches

Address at handover of FSS Bethwel Henry to the Federated States of Micronesia

This vessel, this boat, is the fifth boat that has been provided by the Australian Government to the Federated States of Micronesia going right back to when the FSM joined the Pacific Patrol Boat Program in 1990. It comes after the FSS Micronesia, the FSS Independence, the FSS Palikir, which has…

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, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our…

Address to the Hunter Defence Conference, Hunter Valley NSW

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Wonnarua 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 Minister for the Republic, I also…

Invictus WA launch

I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land where we meet, near the shores of the Derbal Yerrigan, the Wadjuk Noongar people of the great Noongar Nation and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. I would like to extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres…

Address to commemorate Vietnam Veterans' Day

It is an enormous honour to be able to join you here at this beautiful memorial, at the Geebung RSL. 57 years ago today, the Battle of Long Tan was fought. It was fought by Delta Company of 6RAR of the 1st Field Regiment. Outmatched and outgunned, this small group of Australians, with valour,…

Vietnam Veterans' Day National Commemorative Service

I too would like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. I would like to extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who join us today. I would also…

Vietnam Veterans' Day Remembrance Service

I want to begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land where we meet, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I would like to extend that respect to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who join us today. I also acknowledge the current and ex-…

Remarks to Australian American Leadership Dialogue dinner

Acknowledgements omitted

National Science Week launch

Acknowledgements omitted Our great national challenge is to make our economy more complex. At the heart of that is infusing our economy with science and technology, and we can't do any of that unless we encourage people to pursue science – and particularly kids. Wonder, inquiry, seeking answers to…

30th Anniversary of the Burwood Sandakan Memorial

Sandakan Memorial, Burwood Park Burwood, Sydney Thank you for joining me as we commemorate 30 years since this memorial was unveiled, honouring more than 500 men from Sydney who died during the Sandakan death marches in North Borneo. I want to acknowledge the Wangal Clan of the Eora Nation, the…

Korean War Armistice 70th anniversary

I want to begin by acknowledging the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land where we meet, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I would like to extend that respect to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who join us today. I…

Australian Memorial Service

As we commemorate 70 years since the signing of the Armistice that brought fighting on the Korean peninsula to an end, I wish to acknowledge those who served from all nations who join us today, and acknowledge your families. Today we stand in the tranquillity of Busan, a modern harbour-side city…