Radio Interview, ABC Radio National Breakfast

SUBJECTS: Middle East conflict; National Defence Strategy; Drone investment; Defence leadership appointments

SALLY SARA, HOST: Minister, welcome back to Breakfast.

PAT CONROY, MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY: Thanks for having me Sally.

SARA: Do you think this US blockade will be effective?

CONROY: Look, I'm not going to get into providing commentary on what the US Is doing there. What we are urging both Iran and the US is to return to the negotiating tables to resolve the conflict peacefully and for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened. That's what the world needs. We're seeing a big impact on the global economy. We believe the US has satisfied its war aims, and we think that we should get the Strait reopened.

SARA: Australia will be among more than 40 nations to discuss safeguarding shipping in the Strait of Hormuz in these talks co-hosted by the UK and France. What's on the table?

CONROY: Well, we've been part of the ongoing diplomatic efforts to get the Strait reopened and also to ensure safe passage of vessels once the Strait is opened – and the Summit is an important initiative, and we thank the UK and French Governments for leading this effort.

SARA: Who will be representing Australia at that summit?

CONROY: We're still resolving that at the moment. Typically, in these things, we send a military officer, but it could be a diplomatic representative. But the key thing is there's a coalition of nations that are really keen to see a diplomatic resolution of the conflict and for the Strait to be reopened via diplomatic means so that we can get ships moving through this vital waterway.

SARA: So, the blockade by the United States and these efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping from these 40 nations, are they in alignment or could one get in the way of the other?

CONROY: Oh, look, I think one is predicated on the conflict ending. So, the Summit from the UK and France is obviously focused on how do we ensure safe passage of vessels. But we need peace first, and we've been very clear about that. And that's why we need Iran in the United States to continue the ceasefire, return to negotiations so that the Strait can be reopened, and then safe passage can be arranged for vessels. But we need a ceasefire to continue and for the Strait to be reopened.

SARA: So, these would be efforts after the conflict ended. Will there be a need to safeguard ships if the conflict has already ended?

CONROY: Well, there's a variety of potential threats in the Strait that people have identified. I think the key thing is that these 40 nations are coming together to discuss options. But we need peace in that region first. And that's a critical feature in all this. That's what we've been urging. The Australian Government has had a very principled approach that we need the United States and Iran to resolve the conflict so the Strait can be reopened.

SARA: Would Australia be prepared to send military assets as part of this 40 nation group if there were a mission to safeguard shipping in the Strait?

CONROY: No request has been made and I'm not keen to get into hypotheticals – ministers rarely are. We've got E-7A Wedgetail in the region already providing defensive assistance to UAE and other Gulf states who are innocent bystanders. But we'll see where the UK-France Summit goes. But no request has been received by the Australian Government.

SARA: But in taking part in these talks, does that indicate that Australia is willing to take part in some sort of mission or are we just at these talks to observe?

CONROY: It indicates that we're keen to see diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait continue and to intensify. And that's why we're there and that's why we're participating in the Summit. But it's not productive for me to get into hypotheticals about what exact line of efforts will be involved.

SARA: Has the Government received any communication from senior Trump administration officials since the ceasefire began last week?

CONROY: That's a pretty broad question. I can confirm to your listeners that we've had no formal request to provide naval assets as part of the US assets.

SARA: Any other assets? Air or army assets?

CONROY: Not to my knowledge, no.

SARA: You're listening to Radio National Breakfast. My guest is the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy. A new defence strategy will be released by the Government this week. It's expected to include at least $2 billion in new or redirected funds for uncrewed and autonomous capabilities. Think drones in some cases, but some other tech as well. Why is the Government shifting its focus to this kind of kit?

CONROY: Well, we're already investing $10 billion in drone and counter drone technology – and on Thursday we'll release the new National Defence Strategy, which will have an increase of between $2 and $5 billion, bringing total investment to $15 billion. Anyone who's seen the current conflict in the Middle East or the Ukraine-Russia conflict knows that drones are a key feature of modern warfare – and in many parts of this technology we lead the world. The Ghost Bat, which we're funding into service right now, is the first combat aircraft designed and made in Australia in over 50 years. The Ghost Shark underwater autonomous submarine leads the world in that technology. And we've gone from an idea in 2022 to me opening a factory late last year and the first submarines being delivered to the Navy. So, that up to $5 billion increase will equip the ADF with drones and importantly, counter drone technology. It will help deter conflict and it will also employ more Australians in the very high-skilled Australian defence industry.

SARA: Yesterday, the Government announced senior defence appointments, including a new Chief of Defence and also the appointment of Lieutenant General Susan Coyle as the Chief of Army. Many welcomed that appointment. There was also some significant backlash via social media and other forums criticising that appointment – accusing it being one of diversity and inclusion. What do you think about some of the offensive remarks that have been posted in that regard?

CONROY: Well, it's despicable and disgraceful. I've worked with General Coyle over the last four years. She's an incredibly professional, intelligent soldier who lives the values of the Australian Defence Force. She was the best qualified candidate to be the Chief of Army and she will be the first service chief who is female. But she wasn't selected because of that. She was selected because she was the best candidate. She's had a hugely distinguished service and anyone who's worked with General Coyle knows what a great professional she is. So, those people need to have a good, hard look at themselves. Instead of spreading hate, they should look at the qualities of the candidates selected and General Coyle will be a brilliant Chief of Army.

SARA: What's your message to any serving members of the ADF who might not want a woman leading the Australian Army?

CONROY: Oh, look, I think the Australian Army and the ADF has gone well beyond that sort of mentality. We've got women at senior roles throughout the ADF and they're playing a really important role, just as men are in the ADF. It's an incredibly professional organisation that I'm incredibly proud of. And the new leadership of the ADF will do a great job building on the sound foundations established by people like Admiral David Johnston, who I want to thank again for his 48 years of service. He joined the Navy when he was 15 and he's done brilliant work – and Mark Hammond and General Coyle and the rest of the new leadership will do great work following up.

SARA: Pat Conroy. Thank you so much for being my guest this morning.

CONROY: Thanks, Sally. Bye bye.

ENDS