Statements

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…

Joint communiqué of the 13th Meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee

Joint communiqué with:

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…