Speeches

Address to the Smart Energy Council Conference

On It’s fantastic to be meeting with you here this morning on Gadigal land. I acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation as the traditional owners – and pay my respect to their Elders, past and present. It’s a privilege to here alongside scientists, innovators, industry leaders and so many…

Anzac Day Wreath Laying Ceremony - Bullecourt, France

On 25 April 1917, a Sydney newspaper reflected on the burgeoning Anzac tradition.  It said it was, “a tradition to be treasured. It means much in a time of crisis.” Two years after the landings on Gallipoli, Australia and the world remained in a state of crisis.  Across the country,…

Anzac Day Dawn Service - Villers-Bretonneux, France

In 1918, at her home in Botany, Sydney, Jessie Hickson received a knock on the door. A clergyman delivered the news that every parent of the time dreaded. Jessie’s son had been killed in action in the Great War. Private Warwick Hickson was an organ builder who became a soldier in June 1916. …

Anzac Day Dawn Service, Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

“They never gave up the fight. They never admitted defeat. They never asked for help.” These were the words of war correspondent Osmar White writing from the Kokoda Track in September 1942. The Kokoda Track bore witness to some of the most desperate and vicious fighting encountered by Australian…

Anzac Day remarks

I would like to thank the Wathaurong people, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet this morning. Can I acknowledge Christine Couzens, the member for Geelong. On this day we remember those who have worn, and continue to wear, our nation's uniform. Anzac Day was inspired by the First…

Address to the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Defence Industry Conference

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Dharawal people 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…

ASPI Sydney Dialogue

Can I start by acknowledging the Gadigal people, the traditional owners of the land on which you are all meeting this morning. And let me also acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, the traditional owners of the land from which I speak to you, right now. And in acknowledging both, say how proud I am…

Address to Women in Defence Technology Conference

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Jagera people and Turrbal people, and 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…

Address to Defence Industry Dinner

Can I thank Peter for that introduction. And let me begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the city of Melbourne, the Wurundjeri and Bunurong peoples of the Eastern Kulin nation, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. To my parliamentary colleagues; leaders of the…

Sasakawa Peace Foundation Speech

Many thanks to Dr Sunami for the warm introduction, and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation for hosting me today.  It’s good to be among friends and here in Japan this week with my dear friend, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, for the tenth Australia-Japan 2+2 consultations with Minister Hamada and…

Address to the Orange Regional City Cyber Security Conference

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Wiradjuri people. 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…

Address to the ACCI Business Leaders Summit 2022

Can I also start by acknowledging the Ngunnawal people, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. Can I say what a delight it is to look at a theatre full of people again, after the period of the pandemic. One of the beauties of…