Speeches

Address to commemorate Vietnam Veterans' Day

It is an enormous honour to be able to join you here at this beautiful memorial, at the Geebung RSL. 57 years ago today, the Battle of Long Tan was fought. It was fought by Delta Company of 6RAR of the 1st Field Regiment. Outmatched and outgunned, this small group of Australians, with valour,…

Vietnam Veterans' Day National Commemorative Service

I too would like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. I would like to extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who join us today. I would also…

Vietnam Veterans' Day Remembrance Service

I want to begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land where we meet, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I would like to extend that respect to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who join us today. I also acknowledge the current and ex-…

Remarks to Australian American Leadership Dialogue dinner

Acknowledgements omitted

National Science Week launch

Acknowledgements omitted Our great national challenge is to make our economy more complex. At the heart of that is infusing our economy with science and technology, and we can't do any of that unless we encourage people to pursue science – and particularly kids. Wonder, inquiry, seeking answers to…

30th Anniversary of the Burwood Sandakan Memorial

Sandakan Memorial, Burwood Park Burwood, Sydney Thank you for joining me as we commemorate 30 years since this memorial was unveiled, honouring more than 500 men from Sydney who died during the Sandakan death marches in North Borneo. I want to acknowledge the Wangal Clan of the Eora Nation, the…

Korean War Armistice 70th anniversary

I want to begin by acknowledging the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land where we meet, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I would like to extend that respect to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who join us today. I…

Australian Memorial Service

As we commemorate 70 years since the signing of the Armistice that brought fighting on the Korean peninsula to an end, I wish to acknowledge those who served from all nations who join us today, and acknowledge your families. Today we stand in the tranquillity of Busan, a modern harbour-side city…

Address at commissioning of USS Canberra

Acknowledgments omitted. The Alliance is at the centre of Australia's national security. The Alliance is about shared values. As Australia makes common cause with a nation conceived and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. But the Alliance is also personal. The Alliance…

Remarks to Talisman Sabre opening ceremony

Can I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to elders past and present. Governor Beazley; Secretary Del Toro; Minister Pat Conroy; Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell; Secretary of the Department of Defence, Greg Moriarty; my…

ADF Careers launch

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Boon Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin, and pay my respects to their elders, past and present. As the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, I also pay my…

Australia India Chamber of Commerce Keynote speech

I wish to start by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today, the Whadjuk Noongar People of South-Western Australia and pay my respects to their elders past and present. I'm proud to be part of a government that will give all Australians the chance to vote in a…