Speeches

Launch of the National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. As the Minister for Defence, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in the…

The Sydney Institute

Let me begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we gather today, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in the…

Launch of the 'The Local Fallen' memorial banners

I want to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today, and pay my respect to their Elders past and present. I also acknowledge all those who have served, or continue to serve our nation in uniform, and the families who support them. Jim Commins was born in…

Address to the ADM (Australian Defence Magazine) 30 Under 30 Awards

I begin by acknowledging the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.  As the Assistant Minister for Defence and the Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, I also…

Address to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Defence Industry development conference

I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of Dharawal Country and pay my respects to Elders past and present. As the Minister for Defence Industry, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in the past and continue to do so today.…

Opening of the UNSW Innovation Centre

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Bedegal people, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. As the Assistant Minister for Defence, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in the past and…

Address to the sufferings of war and service ceremony

I would like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. I also acknowledge all those who have, or continue to serve our nation in uniform, and the families who support them. Today…

People, power, posture - modernising the Australian Defence Force to meet the challenges of the future

I acknowledge that we are on Ngunnawal land and pay my respects to elder's past, present and emerging. As the Assistant Minister for Defence and the Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our nation in…

82nd Anniversary of The Bombing of Darwin

I want to begin by acknowledging the Larrakia People, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay my respect to their Elders past and present. I also acknowledge all those who have served, or continue to serve our nation in uniform, and the families who support them. 82…

National Statement at United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial, Accra, Ghana

I am honoured to speak on behalf of Australia, and I begin by thanking Ghana for hosting this Ministerial Meeting. The UN was founded in the wake of the devastating experiences of the Second World War with the purpose of maintaining international peace and protecting the human rights of all. But…

National statement at United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial, Environmental Management in Peacekeeping, Accra, Ghana

I thank the United States for the opportunity to make this statement on behalf of Australia. Australia has been active in the UN’s peacebuilding agenda since its inception, including addressing the underlying factors that contribute to conflict. Today, we see increasing evidence that climate…

National statement at United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial, Women in Peacekeeping, Accra, Ghana

I thank Sweden for hosting this event, and am honoured to take this opportunity to speak on behalf of Australia. Australia is committed to the full implementation of the women, peace and security agenda and proud of the tremendous contribution made by our Defence women to peacekeeping. Major…