Statements

Minister for Defence - Statement

I am grateful for the trust and confidence of the Prime Minister to be Australia’s fifty-first Minister for Defence.   Since being appointed Shadow Minister for Defence in 2008, I have diligently gone about serving my party and its leadership.   I thank the men and women of the Australian Defence…

Minister for Defence – Statement on Afghanistan and Iraq

I speak today to update the Parliament and the Australian people about Australia’s missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since my last statement on 11 December 2013, there have been significant developments in Australia’s mission in Afghanistan, and this year has seen the commencement of the ADF…

Minister for Defence - Correcting the record on submarines - Opinion Editorial, Adelaide Advertiser

The first priority of the Abbott Government is to ensure the safety and security of our country. Right now, the Abbott Government is considering options for the Navy’s future submarines that will replace the Collins Class. As the Prime Minister has consistently said, work in Australia on the Future…

Joint Media Statement - Minister for Defence and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China

    MINISTER FOR DEFENCE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, SENATOR DAVID JOHNSTON & GENERAL FAN CHANGLONG, VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA At the invitation of the Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston, General Fan Changlong, Vice…

Minister for Defence – Statement on Report on Abuse at HMAS Leeuwin

I refer to two documents that have been tabled in this house this morning. One document is the sixth interim Report of the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce, the DART. This is the three monthly Report provided to me and the Attorney General by the Head of the Taskforce the Hon Len Roberts-Smith. I…

Minister for Defence - Statement at Opening Senate Budget Estimates

Statement by the Minister for Defence Senator the Hon David Johnston at Opening Senate Budget Estimates on 2 June 2014 I wish to note this will be the last Senate Estimates Hearing for General David Hurley, AC, DSC, who completes his tenure as the Chief of the Defence Force on 3 July 2014. General…

Minister for Defence - Statement on Afghanistan

Paper presented by the Minister for Defence Senator the Hon David Johnston on Afghanistan Tabled in conjunction with a Ministerial Statement on 11 December 2013   Introduction Over recent years successive Defence Ministers have reported to the Parliament on Australia’s commitment in Afghanistan. …

Acting Minister for Defence Senator George Brandis - Media Statement - State Mine Fire Investigation

I have seen reports that the State Mine fire near Lithgow may have been caused by live ordnance exercises on Marangaroo Defence Range on Wednesday 16 October 2013. Last night I spoke to the Acting Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, about the matter. The Australian Government and…