Media releases

Thank you to our Defence Personnel

This holiday season, the Albanese Government would like to acknowledge and thank all current and former serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and their families for their exceptional dedication and service. At this time of year, we express our deep gratitude to all ADF personnel who…

Delivering a plan for continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment in Australia

The Albanese Government has reaffirmed its commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment, delivered by an Australian workforce and anchored by sovereign supply chains, through the release of the 2024 Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan. The 2024 Naval …

Chair and Non-Executive Directors appointed to the ANI Board

The Albanese Government is pleased to appoint the following Directors to the Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd (ANI) Board: Mr Ronald Finlay AM as Chair, for three years, from 11 December 2024 Major General Kathryn Toohey AM CSC (Retd) as Non-Executive Director, for three years,…

More support for Defence and veteran families

Today the Albanese Government is releasing the Defence and Veteran Family Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030 (The Family Strategy). This delivers on Labor’s election commitment to identify ways to better support the families of our Defence personnel and veterans.  The related Action plan will…

Travel to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 18 - 19 December. Saudi Arabia is Australia's second-largest trading partner in the Middle East and we work closely together in the G20, and through other multilateral…

Update on Australia's response to Vanuatu earthquake

Australia’s initial humanitarian assistance to support recovery efforts following yesterday’s devastating Port Vila earthquake will arrive in Vanuatu this afternoon. Assessments following the 7.2-magnitude earthquake are ongoing, but extensive damage has occurred to buildings in and around Port…

Albanese Government to enhance infrastructure and connectivity in Rockingham

The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments will deliver a series of studies to inform future infrastructure and transport requirements around HMAS Stirling in Rockingham, Western Australia.  Western Australia is at the forefront of Australia’s AUKUS pathway, continuing its proud tradition as the…

14th Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will today travel to the United Kingdom to attend the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN). Australia and the United Kingdom’s partnership is underpinned by our shared history,…

Collins class sustainment listed as a Product Of Concern

Following a recommendation from Defence, Collins class submarine sustainment has been listed as a Product of Concern to enable enhanced ministerial oversight of this critical capability. The Collins class sustainment program has experienced challenges in recent years. With the submarines required…

Australia-Malaysia defence ministers’ meeting

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, will host the Malaysian Minister of Defence, Mohamed Khaled Nordin, for the fourth Malaysia-Australia High Level Committee today in Melbourne.  Australia and Malaysia share a longstanding defence partnership, built on…

Navy conducts successful firing of Tomahawk cruise missile

The Royal Australian Navy has achieved a major milestone in realising an enhanced and lethal surface combatant fleet, with Australia becoming only the third country in the world to acquire and fire a Tomahawk cruise missile. HMAS Brisbane, a Hobart class destroyer, has successfully fired a Tomahawk…

Growing & skilling Australia's submariner workforce

The Albanese Government continues to invest in attracting and training the next generation of Navy Submariners in the Australian Defence Force, with work starting on a new training facility at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered…