Television Interview, ABC Weekend Breakfast

SUBJECTS: Anzac Day commemorations; ISIS Foreign Fighters’ Wives; Dawn Service disruptions

FAUZIAH IBRAHIM, HOST: Well, as the Dawn Services in Victoria comes to a close, we are now joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, in Geelong. A very good morning to you and thank you for joining us on Weekend Breakfast, Minister.

RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Fauziah.

IBRAHIM: I just want to ask, what were you reflecting on during the ceremony?

MARLES: Well, I feel very lucky and privileged to hold the position I do. Principally because of the opportunity that it gives me to see the serving men and women of the Australian Defence Force in action. And on Anzac Day, I feel enormously proud that Australians take the time to remember the sacrifice of those in the past, but also to very much give thanks to those who are serving today. And knowing what our servicemen and women do, that thanks is very much deserved. And so that was very much in the forefront of my mind as we went through the Dawn Service this morning.

IBRAHIM: Now, the unified Australian Defence Force as it exists today, we know it was formed in 1976. If, I wonder, if you could point to one major success that the ADF has achieved over these many, many years, what do you think that would be?

MARLES: Oh, that's a very hard question to answer in terms of just looking at one. I mean, since then, obviously, Australians have served under the banner of the Australian Defence Force, under the Joint Operations Command, where we've been operating as a single defence force. As you rightly say, we've served in a number of conflicts. Afghanistan, of course, comes to mind as the longest conflict that Australians have served in. And there is an enormous sense of pride for the way in which our nation was carried by those who served in those conflicts. Obviously, we very much remember the sacrifice that was made by those who paid the ultimate price. But their efforts have done so much for peace and security in the world, but also for Australia's national cause.

IBRAHIM: Today, of course, we honour the men and women who serve in the Defence Force, but you have acknowledged that defence recruitment and retention remains a major hurdle right now. Given the future direction of the ADF, I wonder how you're proposing to seek and maybe retain qualified personnel who will be able to operate the advanced systems that Australia is investing in.

MARLES: Well, look, you're right in pointing out the challenge, but. But it's also the case that our, the level of our permanent force today is the highest that it's been in 20 years. We have separation rates which are now well below the ten-year average. So, the Australian Defence Force is absolutely growing, and we have Australians, in increasing number, showing an interest in serving, and that's really important. But you also point out that, you know, we have increasingly sophisticated and complex systems and platforms that we operate, which require skills. And so we need to be making sure that we are recruiting people, but also providing the training so that people can operate those. The other side of that coin, though, is it's an incredible opportunity for people to serve in the Defence Force. You do things you would not do in any other circumstance, and you do acquire skills which are really important and you can take into civilian life later on. So, you know, I couldn't commend a career in the ADF more than I do. I mean, it is a great opportunity and it's really important that we have people willing to sign up.

IBRAHIM: Minister, before I let you go, I do need to ask you about the news of the day. The ABC understands that four Australian women and nine children with links to ISIS fighters have left a Syrian refugee camp. They're supposedly bound for Australia. Is the Labor Government providing assistance to this group of women and children?

MARLES: Well, look, I am loathed to comment on the issues of the day, given the significance of Anzac Day, let me simply say we are not, and this government is not participating in the repatriation of people in this circumstance. But given the significance of Anzac Day, I won't comment any further on that.

IBRAHIM: Well, let us return then to the significance of today. We heard this morning Acknowledgement of Country in several ceremonies disrupted by some in the crowd. This is in protest of the acknowledgement; this year, it seemed more vociferous than last year. What do you make of those who chose to disrupt the services today?

MARLES: Well, I think it's disgraceful, and it's deeply disappointing. Acknowledgments to Country are just an act of respect. And what characterises today is that it is a day of respect, and to boo in that way goes completely against that, and it is deeply disgraceful. But also, you know, we should be acknowledging as well the contribution that Indigenous Australians have made to the ADF and Australia's military history. This year, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong, which is one of the major battles in the Korean War- 32 Australians lost their lives in that battle. At that battle was Captain Reg Saunders, Australia's first Indigenous officer in the Australian Army. Captain Saunders’ service and so many other Indigenous Australian service have played a really critical part in the history of the Australian Defence Force. They deserve to be recognised along with every other person who has served in the ADF. And I just think that what we've seen with this booing is a disgrace, and it is deeply disrespectful, to everyone, actually, who is participating in Anzac Day, and particularly to that history.

IBRAHIM: Minister, as Australians gather today to mark Anzac Day and to remember those who have served in the nation for the nation, what is your message for the country?

MARLES: Well, I think, you know, we gather today on this Anzac Day with the world in a challenging and volatile situation where there is, I think, a search from all of us for an idea upon which we can rely. And when we think about those who have served, those who have sacrificed for us for an incredible country which is characterised by an egalitarian spirit, by mateship, all of this is at the heart of the very idea of Australia, and that is something to hang on to. The idea of Australia in a darkening world really is our guiding light, and I think that is something to reflect upon on this Anzac Day, particularly.

IBRAHIM: Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, we thank you so much for being on Weekend Breakfast.

MARLES: Thanks, Fauziah.

ENDS