All releases

Australia takes leap forward in self-reliance with launch of rocket motor manufacturing

The Albanese Government is strengthening the nation’s sovereign defence industrial base, resilience and self-reliance by investing an initial $126.9 million to establish solid rocket motor production in Australia. Solid rocket motors provide the propulsion required for most guided weapons, and are…

Television Interview, Sky News Newsday

SUBJECTS: NRL PNG Chiefs; Appointment of new Defence Secretary; AUKUS; US Ambassador to Australia; Army’s long-range strike capability; Drones; Anzac Day. KIERAN GILBERT, HOST: The Deputy Prime Minister joins me live in the studio. He's a fan of the PNG rugby league initiative too. He's with…

Doorstop, Parliament House

SUBJECTS: Appointment of new Defence Secretary; AUKUS; US Ambassador to Australia; Anzac Day; Welcome to Country JOURNALIST: You've announced the first female Defence secretary. Do you think up until now, Defence has been a bit of a boys club?

New Secretary of Defence

I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement today that Meghan Quinn will become the next Secretary of the Department of Defence.  Having served as Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources since 2022, Ms Quinn brings with her a wide range of experience across the public…

Albanese Government strengthens Army's long-range strike capability

In a major enhancement to the Australian Army’s long-range strike capability, the Albanese Government has selected the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), investing $2.3 billion over the decade and delivering a second long‑range fires regiment at…

Television Interview, ABC Afternoon Briefing

SUBJECTS: Investment in Bushmasters; Anzac Day; ISIS Foreign Fighters’ Wives; White House Correspondents’ dinner PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: The Australian Government will spend $1.2 billion on new Bushmasters and upgrading Defence Force trucks. The Assistant Defence Minister, Peter Khalil, is my…

Television Interview, Sky Afternoon Agenda

SUBJECTS: Investment in Bushmasters and Bendigo; Anzac Day TOM CONNELL, HOST: Joining me live is Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil. Thank you for your time. Certainly, been a success story, both for Defence and exporting as well. Can I just clarify, I was reading that they won't have…

Press Conference, Bendigo

SUBJECTS: Investment in Bushmasters and Bendigo; AUKUS; ISIS Foreign Fighters’ Wives; Foreign Minister’s Asia visit; Liberal Party preferences

Radio Interview, ABC RN Breakfast

SUBJECTS: Anzac Day; White House Correspondents’ dinner; ISIS Foreign Fighters’ Wives; Investment in Bushmasters and Bendigo; Foreign Minister’s Asia visit SALLY SARA, HOST: Sally Sara with you for breakfast. Well, the Federal Government says 268 new Bushmaster military vehicles will be built in…

Television Interview, ABC News Breakfast

Subjects: Incident White House Correspondents’ dinner, Investment in Bushmasters and Bendigo; Foreign Minister’s Asia visit; Welcome to Country. JAMES GLENDAY, HOST: Pat, welcome to the program. PAT CONROY, MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY: Thanks for having me, James. JAMES GLENDAY, HOST: Just…

Securing advanced manufacturing in Bendigo with new Bushmasters

The Albanese Government is investing $750 million to deliver a pipeline of Bushmasters for the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) fleet of protected mobility vehicles in regional Victoria, supporting around 300 local jobs for the next seven years.  Thales Australia will build 268 new Bushmasters…

Anzac Day Dawn Service, Geelong, Victoria

Can I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay my respect to elders past and present.  Can I acknowledge Mark Lee, the President of the Geelong sub-branch for the RSL, Chris Couzens, the state Member for Geelong, Stretch Kontelj, the Mayor of Geelong and…