Speeches

Motion on Hamas attacks on Israel and ongoing conflict

The last nine days have borne witness to the most desperately sad tragedy. A tragedy for Jews, a tragedy for Muslims, a tragedy for Israel and a tragedy for Palestinians. And the unfolding disaster has been a matter of precise calculation by Hamas. And Hamas stands in absolute condemnation. The…

Address to the Exercise Wallaby appreciation Dinner

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respects to their elders, 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…

Remarks at the 'United with Israel' Community Gathering, Caulfield Shule, VIC

(Acknowledgements omitted) Tonight, Australia's heart breaks for Israel. In the face of this evil, tonight Australia embraces Israel and all her people. The very nature of terrorism is shocking. It invades normality, such as attending a knock on the front door, or going to a music festival as…

Guardian-class Patrol Boat handover ceremony for Papua New Guinea

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Whadjuk Noongar people, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. As the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served…

Address to the 2023 ASPI Conference 'Disruption and Deterrence'

INTRODUCTION  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 Minister for Defence Industry, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal…

Second reading speech, Defence Legislation Amendment (Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets) Bill

***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY*** I am pleased to present the Defence Legislation Amendment (Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets) Bill 2023. Late last year, the Albanese Government directed Defence to examine the adequacy of the policies and procedures for preventing former Defence personnel from…

Address to the DEFGLIS Military Pride Ball, Sydney NSW

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and I pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. As the Assistant Minister for Defence, Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Assistant Minister for…

Chief of Army Symposium, Perth

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, on the banks of the Derbal Yerrigan, the Whadjuk people of the great Noongar nation of South Western Australia, and pay my respects to their elders, past and present. I am proud to be a Minister in a Government that…

Address at handover of FSS Bethwel Henry to the Federated States of Micronesia

This vessel, this boat, is the fifth boat that has been provided by the Australian Government to the Federated States of Micronesia going right back to when the FSM joined the Pacific Patrol Boat Program in 1990. It comes after the FSS Micronesia, the FSS Independence, the FSS Palikir, which has…

Address to the Hunter Defence Conference Gala Dinner

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the Hunter Valley, the Wonnarua Nation, and I pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. As the Minister for Defence Industry, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served our…

Address to the Hunter Defence Conference, Hunter Valley NSW

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Wonnarua Nation, and I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. As the Assistant Minister for Defence, Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Assistant Minister for the Republic, I also…

Invictus WA launch

I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land where we meet, near the shores of the Derbal Yerrigan, the Wadjuk Noongar people of the great Noongar Nation and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. I would like to extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres…