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The Albanese Government is backing local innovation in quantum and counter disinformation technologies that are key to giving Defence an edge and which will also be critical to a future made in Australia. The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) program has signed 21 contracts as part of an investment of over $60 million with Australian universities and industry partners. 

The Albanese Government is investing approximately $35 million in critical infrastructure to support Australia’s air and land combat capabilities in North Queensland’s Lavarack Barracks and RAAF Base Townsville. Improving the ability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to operate from Australia’s northern bases was a key priority identified by the Government in response to the Defence Strategic Review.

The Albanese Government is investing $41.7 million in critical infrastructure upgrades to support accommodation and facilities at RAAF Base Tindal in Katherine, Northern Territory. One of Australia's most important strategic Defence sites, RAAF Base Tindal will receive key upgrades to live-in and working accommodation for Australian Defence Force (ADF) members.

Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel could be eligible for a $50,000 bonus payment for ongoing service, as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to investing in the growth and retention of a highly-skilled Defence workforce. One of the six immediate priority areas identified in response to the Defence Strategic Review is the need to both grow and retain our ADF personnel.

The Albanese Government has signed a four-year contract extension with James Fisher Defence (JFD) Australia, valued at over $90 million, to provide submarine escape and rescue services in support of the Collins class submarines. This contract underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to backing local ingenuity and a future made in Australia, which is essential to supporting a critical workforce. It will directly support 46 jobs, primarily at Bibra Lake, south of Perth.

The Albanese Government has secured more work for Australians to maintain and sustain vessels for the Navy through a $400 million contract with Navantia Australia.  The seven-year contract secures about 200 local jobs, primarily in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, while underscoring the Government’s commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises that are critical to Australia’s defence industry and national security. 

The Albanese Government will invest over $100 million to boost the ADF’s arsenal of drones, ensuring Australian military personnel are provided with cutting-edge lethal and non-lethal capabilities and underscoring an unwavering commitment to National Defence. The acquisition of two small uncrewed aerial systems (SUAS) will bolster the ADF’s ability to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance and augments the ADF’s existing stock of drones, including those with multiple payload options. 

Australia will manufacture missiles at home from 2025, thanks to another step forward by the Albanese Government, with Australia and the United States signing two memoranda of understanding.

The Albanese Government has secured the future of MH-60R Seahawk helicopter fleet, ensuring this critical capability remains mission ready, with a $313.5 million maintenance contract that will support local businesses and jobs. The contract with Sikorsky Australia, a Lockheed Martin company, will create 75 jobs, including 20 apprenticeships, and support another 200 highly skilled, well-paid jobs at the company’s maintenance and logistics facility in Nowra.

The Albanese Government has strengthened Australia’s ties with European partners by signing the Security Agreement on the Protection of Classified Information with the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, known by its French acronym, OCCAR.  Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP, signed the agreement which facilitates the exchange of classified information between Australia and OCCAR to support Defence equipment programs.

The Albanese Government is accelerating production of the Ghost Shark program as part of a commitment to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with the cutting-edge capabilities it needs to safeguard Australians and their interests. Defence and Anduril Australia have entered into a co-funded early works contract for the Ghost Shark program which will provide Navy with a long-range autonomous vehicle that will deliver a cost-effective, persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike undersea capability.

The Albanese Government will establish a national coordinating body to respond to the specific needs of communities impacted by per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) around Defence bases.  In 2023, the Government commissioned an independent review into PFAS contamination around three Defence bases: RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, the Army Aviation Centre Oakey in Queensland, and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. 

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. 

The Albanese Government is committing $4.1 billion to acquire more long-range strike systems and manufacture longer-range munitions here in Australia, delivering on the priorities of the Defence Strategic Review. A key recommendation of the Review is the need to accelerate and expand weapons systems, including land-based maritime strike and long-range missile launchers. Complemented by investments to replenish our guided weapons and explosive ordnance (GWEO) stocks and to establish sovereign missile and munition manufacturing facilities in Australia. 

The Australian Government has entered into an agreement to acquire an ownership interest in Australian defence radar systems manufacturer, CEA Technologies Pty Limited. The deal to secure the leading-edge capability will ultimately create a new Government Business Enterprise (GBE). For the past 40 years, CEA has developed world-leading radar systems that enable a range of critical Defence Force capabilities both in Australia and overseas.

 Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston will meet with his New Zealand, Japanese and French counterparts and colleagues over the period 31 October to 2 November in Perth. These counterparts are in Australia to attend the Albany Convoy Commemorative Event and symbolic convoy departure on 1 November and are also taking the opportunity to meet with Senator Johnston to discuss bilateral defence relationship issues.

The Albanese Government is continuing to support smaller businesses and jobs in the local defence industry with the awarding of a $33 million contract to Albury company Australian Target Systems (ATS).

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This morning I spoke with my colleague and friend, US Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper.We reaffirmed our Alliance is based on shared values and close friendship. As we have done for over 100 years, we band together in times of crisis, just as we are now in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.I conveyed to Secretary Esper that Australia stands in solidarity with our American friends as they confront difficult circumstances at home, and passed on my condolences for the lives lost to the virus in the United States.

A new strategic alliance between Rheinmetall and Defence Science and Technology (DST) will advance the development of innovative technologies for land capability. The alliance cements a long-standing research relationship that will deliver greater land power for Defence. Some of the cutting-edge technologies developed under the strategic alliance will support the Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle fleet which Army is acquiring from Rheinmetall.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced another Australian defence industry collaboration success with Melbourne firm AMOG Technologies contracting with Thales on new research into stealth technology for submarine periscopes and optronic masts. Minister Pyne congratulated AMOG Technologies, an offshore and maritime engineering company who will be working in collaboration with global Prime, Thales, on the first phase of a technology evaluation study.

A previously unknown Australian First World War soldier buried in an unnamed grave in France has been identified. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said the soldier was identified as 10778 Albert Nicholson, a Driver in the 14th Field Artillery Brigade of the Australian Imperial Force. “After years of investigative research, I can announce we now know the final resting place of Driver Albert Nicholson of the Australian Imperial Force, who died in France in the First World War,” Minister Gee said.

The body of a Victorian soldier, killed in action during the First World War, has been identified in an unnamed grave in France, more than a century after his death. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee today confirmed the identification of Lieutenant James Mark Kennedy, 26th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force born 16 April 1879. “Thanks to painstaking research over a number of years, Lieutenant Kennedy’s family now know his final resting place and he can be given the memorial he deserves,” Minister Gee said.

JOURNALIST: More now on the billion-dollar Defence purchase. The Defence Industry Minister says that the decision to purchase the HIMARS weapons system and naval strike missiles has been endorsed by the officials overseeing a large-scale review of our military preparedness. Precise details of the cost have been kept secret, but the government says both products are crucial for the country’s defence in an uncertain strategic environment.

Today we recognise those who served in the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV), the first Australians to respond to a request for assistance from the former Republic of Vietnam. 61 years ago, 30 AATTV advisers arrived in Saigon to provide training support to the former Republic of Vietnam.

One year on from the fall of Kabul our thoughts are with the people of Afghanistan, as well as the Afghan community in Australia and around the world. We acknowledge the brave contribution and sacrifices made by more than 39,000 ADF and civilian personnel who conducted or supported operations in Afghanistan over 20 years. 

JOSH WILSON: Okay. [Indistinct]. Good morning. It’s great to be here in the federal electorate of Fremantle in the City of Cockburn in Henderson at the Australian Marine Complex at Austal. It’s brilliant to have with me my friend and colleague Pat Conroy, the Minister for Defence Industry, and Paul Papalia, the Western Australian Minister for Defence Industries.

It is an honour to announce the Australian team for the 2017 Invictus Games. The Invictus Games is an international, adaptive multi-sports competition for current and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill in service. Forty-three current and former military personnel have been selected to represent Australia at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada from 23-30 September.

It is an honour to announce the Australian team for the 2017 Invictus Games. The Invictus Games is an international, adaptive multi-sports competition for current and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill in service. Forty-three current and former military personnel have been selected to represent Australia at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada from 23-30 September.

Thank you for that. The CDF (*), High Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, it is good to be here with you. Now, Alex said that the film you saw earlier, they couldn't have made a few years ago. And that is true. In fact, a few years ago, recommendation 2.16 of the First Principles Review almost scotched the Minister's Prize for Defence Science because it basically put out a show cause to DSTO as to why you should still exist and what was your value proposition.