All releases

Minister for Defence - Doorstop Interview, Melbourne Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices

It has been a great honour to serve as Australia’s Minister for Defence. The safety and security of the people of Australia is the first priority of government.  During the last nine months, there have been significant achievements in Defence. The fragile trust between Defence and Government…

Minister for Defence - Statement from the Minister for Defence

It has been a great honour to serve as Australia’s Minister for Defence. The safety and security of the people of Australia is the first priority of government.  During the last nine months, there have been significant achievements in Defence. The fragile trust between Defence and Government…

Minister for Defence - Australia welcomes Japanese defence reform

I welcome the decision of the Japanese Government to reform its defence policies to enable Japan to play a greater role in promoting peace and security in our region and internationally. The reforms to Japan's defence policies will enable the further strengthening of Australia's defence and…

Joint Media Release - New Zealand Minister of Defence and Minister for Defence - Ministers re-affirm Defence relations

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and his Australian counterpart the Hon Kevin Andrews met in Auckland today for the annual Australia-New Zealand Defence Ministers’ Meeting. “It has been my great pleasure to host Kevin Andrews today,” Mr Brownlee says. “In this centenary of the Australian and New…

Minister for Defence - Australia-New Zealand Defence Ministers Meeting

This afternoon I will depart for New Zealand to meet with my counterpart, the Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Defence. Tomorrow, in Auckland, we will participate in the annual Australia-New Zealand Defence Ministers’ Meeting. This will be my fourth meeting with Minister Brownlee, reflecting a…

Minister for Defence - Doorstop Parliament House

Topics: RAAF first strike in eastern Syria   MINISTER ANDREWS  Ladies and gentlemen, I can confirm this morning that the Australian Air Task Group has carried out its first successful mission over eastern Syria. Two days ago an Australian hornet fighter aircraft destroyed a Daesh…

Minister for Defence - Statement on Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Operations in the Middle East

I speak today to update the Parliament and the Australian people about Australia’s Defence operations in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, the broader Middle East region and our maritime approaches. IRAQ & SYRIA – OVERVIEW Since my last Defence Force operations update to the Parliament, we’ve seen…

Minister for Defence - Transcript - Interview with Marius Benson ABC News Radio

Topics: RAAF first strike in Eastern Syria QUESTION This news has just broken. What more can you tell us about these Australian strikes in Syria? MINISTER ANDREWS I can advise that two days ago the air task group completed its first strike against a Daesh target in Eastern Syria, destroying an…

Minister for Defence - ABC 24 Breakfast

Topics: Liberal Party Leadership; Getting on with governing QUESTION   I’m joined here on the lawns of Parliament House by the Defence Minister and strong Tony Abbott supporter Kevin Andrews. Mr Andrews good morning to you. MINISTER ANDREWS   Good morning Michael. QUESTION   Will…

Minister for Defence - ABC AM with Michael Brissenden

Topics: Liberal Party Leadership; Getting on with governing MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: For more on the dramatic change of leadership we're joined now by the man who stood last night for the deputy leader's position alongside Tony Abbott, the current Defence Minister Kevin Andrews. Kevin Andrews, welcome…

Minister for Defence - Interview with Sky News

Topics: Liberal Party leadership. Getting on with governing. QUESTION Minister Andrews, thanks for your time. It must have been a difficult day. MINISTER ANDREWS Well these things happen from time to time in politics, that’s one of those days. Malcolm is now leader and we’ve got to get on with the…

Minister for Defence - Transcript - 3AW with Neil Mitchell

Topics: Liberal Party leadership; Getting on with governing QUESTION The Liberal Party meeting has broken up in Canberra. As far as we know, no statement from Tony Abbott. But the Defence Minister Kevin Andrews has called in, Mr Andrews good morning. MINISTER ANDREWS Good morning Neil. QUESTION Are…