All releases

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…

ADF establishes Operation NSW Flood Assist

Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister Joint media release: the Hon David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management   

Cairns businesses to build new Army watercraft

Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister  Joint media release: Melissa Price, Minister for Defence Industry and Warren Entsch, Member for Leichhardt Two North Queensland businesses will build seven new watercraft as part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to…

Morrison Government equipping Navy with cutting edge intelligence capability

Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister Joint media release The Hon Melissa Price MP, Minister for Defence Industry The Morrison Government is boosting the Royal Australian Navy’s intelligence capability through Defence’s Maritime Unmanned Aircraft System Continuous…

ADF supporting NSW flood emergency

Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister  Joint media release: the Hon David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, Deputy Leader of the Nationals Australian Defence Force (ADF) helicopters will today deploy to NSW to support search…

Morrison Government and Naval Group secure a win for Australian Industry

Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister  The Morrison Government’s Future Submarine Program has reached a major milestone with the conclusion of negotiations between Defence and Naval Group for the amendments to the Strategic Partnering Agreement. This will see Naval…

Demonstrating Australia's Enduring Commitment to the Indo-Pacific Region

Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister    Two Royal Australian Navy ships, HMA Ships Anzac (III) and Sirius are conducting a two-month deployment throughout the Northeast Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. Led by HMAS Anzac, the task group will conduct a number of…

Infantry Fighting Vehicle contenders unveiled

Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister  Joint media release: Senator Jim Molan AO DSC Two contenders for the largest acquisition project in the history of the Army have been officially unveiled in Canberra today. The new Infantry Fighting Vehicles prototypes are…

Statement from the Minister for Defence

On Friday 5 March 2021, I publicly apologised to Ms Brittany Higgins about the comment about her to my staff on 15 February 2021. I wish to further address the comment that I made. I did not mean it in the sense it may have been understood. Given that the comment was made public, which I never…

Enhanced infrastructure for the Vanuatu Police Force

Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister  Joint media release: The Hon Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs, Republic of Vanuatu Construction has commenced in Port Vila under the Cook and Tiroas Barracks Redevelopment…

Boosting maritime capability in the pacific

Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister  Joint media release: The Hon Warran Entsch MP, Member for Leichhardt   The Morrison Government has awarded TAFE Queensland a $36 million contract to provide mariner training and support to the Navy crews of the…

Statement from the Minister for Defence

On the advice of her cardiologist, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds will extend her medical leave to April 2. On Tuesday March 2 Senator Reynolds was re-assessed by her cardiologist in relation to a preexisting medical condition, which had earlier required her to take a brief period of leave. The…