Statements

AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine pathway, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT

Last week, Prime Minister Albanese, US President Biden and UK Prime Minister Sunak announced the Optimal Pathway for Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. This was a historic event in our nation’s history. The acquisition of this formidable capability is the…

Joint ministerial statement of intent on upgrading our Defence Cooperation Arrangement

Australia and Indonesia’s defence partnership is underpinned by mutual trust, transparency and a shared commitment to a stable, peaceful, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Meeting in Canberra, we recalled the importance of the Agreement between Australia and the Republic of Indonesia on…

Joint Statement on the Eighth Australia-Indonesia Foreign and Defence Ministers’ 2+2 Meeting

Australian and Indonesian Foreign and Defence Ministers met for the Eighth 2+2 Meeting on 9 February 2023 in Canberra, Australia.

Navy's proud bond with Tasmania

The Albanese Labor government is delivering on our commitment to strengthen Australia's defence capabilities. Tasmania's maritime heritage is a rich and vital part of the state's identity, from the Aboriginal people who first navigated the waters here, to those who stood up the first Royal Hobart…

Securing Australia’s Sovereignty

The first responsibility of government is to provide for the safety and security of its people. The compact between a government and its citizens includes the defence of borders, a secure economic future, and the maintenance of the rule of law. But at the heart of this compact is sovereignty – The…

Joint statement - AUKMIN Statement

1. On 2 February 2023, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP and the Secretary of State for Defence the Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP hosted Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for…

Joint statement - Second France-Australia Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations

1- The second Australia-France Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations reflected the shared commitment to restore a dynamic bilateral relationship founded on trust and shared interests, in line with the priorities agreed by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and Australian…

Senator Jim Molan AO DSC

We are saddened to hear about the death of Senator Jim Molan AO DSC and send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues on this difficult day.   Senator Molan has been a fierce advocate for the people of New South Wales in this Parliament since his election to the Senate in 2017…

Tenth Japan-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations Joint Statement

H.E. Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Mr. HAMADA Yasukazu, Minister of Defence of Japan, the Hon. Richard Marles MP, the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, and Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, held…

AUKUS Defense Ministerial Joint Statement

Washington, D.C.- On December 7, 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosted the Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia, and the Right Honourable Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom, at the Pentagon to discuss the Australia…

Joint Statement on Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2022

The Governments of the United States of America and Australia released the following statement on the occasion of the 32nd annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN). 

Supporting the kind of region we want

When most people think of Siem Reap in Cambodia, they think of the historic temples of Angkor Wat, which sit just outside the city bounds. They don’t think of it as the focal point for managing geostrategic competition. But last week, that’s just what it was. I was privileged to represent Australia…