- Oversight of all aspects of the Defence portfolio
- Budget
- Reform and enterprise management
- Strategic policy, including the National Defence Strategy
- International policy and engagement
- Intelligence
- Australian Signals Directorate
- Australian Submarine Agency
- ADF operations
- Defence Planning Guidance
- Integrated Investment Program
- Development of capability requirements
- Preparedness
- Force Posture, including United States Force Posture Initiative, Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative and Submarine Rotational Force-West
- Science and technology policy and support to capability and operations
- Defence export controls.
Designation
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Defence
Media contacts
Designation
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Defence
Minister profile
The Hon. Richard Marles MP is the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Minister for Defence and the Federal Member for Corio.
Richard was first elected to the House of Representatives for Corio, Victoria in 2007.
Richard's previous ministerial appointments include Minister of Trade, Minister for Employment, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, and Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Affairs.
Born in 1967, Richard was raised and educated in Geelong and went on to study Law and Science, achieving a LLB (Hons) and a BSc from the University of Melbourne.
Richard lives in Geelong with his wife Rachel and has four children, Sam, Isabella, Harvey and Georgia.
He is a devoted Geelong Cats supporter, golf fanatic, a keen photographer, a snowdome collector and local history enthusiast.