Statements

12th Meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee

Joint Statement: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs Singapore Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence Singapore Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry Singapore Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women The Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister…

Statement on Afghanistan

The situation on the ground in Kabul, as in the rest of Afghanistan, is evolving rapidly. As in any crisis situation, the Australian Government’s priority is to ensure the safety of its citizens. We have over 130 Australians in Afghanistan, working in the UN, NGOs, and elsewhere, and we are working…

Support available for Australians who served in Afghanistan

This is a distressing time for many of our Defence personnel and veterans who served our nation in Afghanistan with courage, dignity and honour, and made such a significant contribution to the allied military effort. We must never forget the 41 Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice for our…

Australia joins international partners in attribution of malicious cyber activity to China

Joint statement: Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Karen Andrews MP Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne    Today, the Australian Government joins international partners in expressing serious concerns about malicious cyber activities by China’s Ministry…

Bandar Seri Begawan declaration by the ADMM-Plus in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the ADMM on promoting a future-ready, peaceful and prosperous ASEAN

1. The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (hereinafter referred to as “ADMM-Plus”) was convened via video conference on 16 June 2021; 2. RECALLING the inauguration of the ADMM-Plus in Ha Noi, Viet Nam on 12 October 2010 as a significant milestone in ASEAN’s history as it united the Defence…

Commitment to disrupt ransomware criminal networks

Joint statement with: The Hon Karen Andrews MP, Minister for Home Affairs    Australia stands united with G7 leaders — of the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union — in calling on all states to urgently identify and disrupt ransomware criminal…

Australia-Germany 2+2 Ministerial Consultations

Joint statement with: Senator the Hon Marise Payne, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, Minister for Foreign Affairs Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Minister of Defence  

Ninth Japan-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations

Joint media statement with: H.E. Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Mr. KISHI Nobuo, Minister of Defense of Japan, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs   1. H.E. Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and H.…

Informing the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission

Over the past fortnight consultation has started on the themes for the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Royal Commission is a chance to unite the veteran community and everyone has a chance to have their say as we consult widely on the Terms of…

Anzac Day 2021

One hundred and six years ago, soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The landing was part of the ill-fated Dardanelles Campaign – the Allies’ attempt to break the stalemate on the Western Front by opening a second front that also sought to force…

Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force

I’m very proud to be joining in the celebration of the Royal Australian Air Force. A one century contribution to our nation’s history is incredibly important and the way in which aviation has developed over the course of that 100 years is quite remarkable. The RAAF of course is recognised…

Statement on Cabinet reshuffle

It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as our nation’s Defence Minister since the 2019 election. I came to this portfolio acutely aware of the changing strategic circumstances in which our nation finds itself. I am very proud of what the Government, led by our Prime Minister, has achieved…