Statements

Joint Statement - Philippines-Australia Maritime Cooperative Activity

Australia and the Philippines are close friends and strategic partners. In September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of the Philippines HE Ferdinand R Marcos Jr signed a Strategic Partnership between our two countries, which establishes an enduring framework for closer cooperation.…

Joint Statement: Second India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, New Delhi

1. Minister of Defence of India, Shri Rajnath Singh, and Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar, held the second India-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue on 20 November 2023 in New Delhi with their Australian counterparts, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for…

Honouring their sacrifice

Every year on Remembrance Day, our community pauses at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. We remember all those who have died or suffered while serving in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Like me, many Sydneysiders have fond memories of growing up by the beach, and share…

Republic of Korea-Australia Defence Ministers’ Breakfast Meeting

On 19 October 2023, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles met in Seoul, following attendance at the 2023 Seoul Defense Dialogue. Ministers reaffirmed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership…

Australia and Papua New Guinea Defence Ministers’ Meeting

On 5 October Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles hosted Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki for the 2023 Australia-Papua New Guinea Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Geelong, Victoria. The two Ministers reaffirmed the deep and broad defence partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia, which forms…

Statement regarding US Marine Corps Osprey incident

Earlier today a United States Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey crashed on Melville Island, north of Darwin, while supporting Exercise Predators Run 2023. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the three US service personnel who lost their lives, those who have been injured, the rest of the crew…

Philippines-Australia bilateral meeting at the sidelines of Exercise Alon

Australia and the Philippines are close partners and friends. We share a firm commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region where all countries are free to exercise their sovereignty consistent with international law. We discussed the importance of all countries in the region exercising…

Ukraine Independence Day 2023

Today, on Ukraine’s Independence Day, our thoughts are with all Ukrainians, and the Australian-Ukrainian community. This day carries special importance to all Ukrainians, not only commemorating independence from the former Soviet Union but also marking 18 months since the beginning of Russia’s…

Joint statement on Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2023

The Governments of Australia and the United States of America released the following statement on the occasion of the 33rd Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN). Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles hosted the…

Joint Statement - Implementing our shared ambition

On 4 June 2023 the Hon. Richard Marles MP, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia, and H.E. Mr. Hamada Yasukazu, Minister of Defense, Japan, met during the 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Joint Statement - United States-Japan-Australia Trilateral Defense Ministers' Meeting 2023

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence the Hon. Richard Marles MP, Japanese Minister of Defense Hamada Yasukazu, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, convened a Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting in Singapore on June 3, 2023 during the 20th International Institute…

Northern bases vital to national security

More than 80 years after the end of the Second World War, Northern Australia remains at the forefront of our strategic thinking. The Northern Territory makes a significant contribution to our national security. Right now, soldiers from the Regional Force Surveillance Group (including NORFORCE) are…