Speeches

Speech - Royal Military College Duntroon Graduation Parade

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. As the Minister for Defence, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women…

Address to the Australian Defence Magazine Congress

I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the Canberra area, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, and pay my respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. As the Assistant Minister for Defence, I also pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have…

Defence Industry in a post-DSR world

Can I begin by acknowledging that we meet on the land of the Ngunnawal people and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging and thank you for that beautiful welcome to country Aunty Janette. I won’t go through the full acknowledgements list – it’s very impressive. I will acknowledge my…

Opening remarks at the Pacific Fusion Centre

Can I acknowledge the Honourable, Ishmael Kalsakau the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, the Honourable Jotham Napat, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vanuatu, His Excellency Michael Aroi, Nauru’s High Commissioner to Fiji but particularly in the context of today, the Chair of the Foreign…

Speech - Shangri-La Dialogue Plenary Session Seven

Thank you to the International Institute for Strategic Studies for hosting this valuable event. This time last year I was here at the Shangri-La Dialogue for the first time as Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. It was just three weeks after the Australian Labor Government…

News Corp's Defending Australia, Australian War Memorial

Acknowledgements omitted. One year ago tomorrow the Albanese Government took office. And it has been a transformational 12 months. This time last year it was all very different. Our country was drifting in a sea of broken relationships: with major powers; with countries which should be our friends…

Speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia

I would like to begin by acknowledging the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet this morning, and pay my respects to Elders past and present. Thank you to the American Chamber of Commerce and April Palmerlee for hosting this event. I’m thrilled to be among so many…

Address to the Defence Connect Budget Lunch, Parliament House, ACT

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. 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…

Address to the Smart Energy Council Conference

On It’s fantastic to be meeting with you here this morning on Gadigal land. I acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation as the traditional owners – and pay my respect to their Elders, past and present. It’s a privilege to here alongside scientists, innovators, industry leaders and so many…

Anzac Day Wreath Laying Ceremony - Bullecourt, France

On 25 April 1917, a Sydney newspaper reflected on the burgeoning Anzac tradition.  It said it was, “a tradition to be treasured. It means much in a time of crisis.” Two years after the landings on Gallipoli, Australia and the world remained in a state of crisis.  Across the country,…

Anzac Day Dawn Service - Villers-Bretonneux, France

In 1918, at her home in Botany, Sydney, Jessie Hickson received a knock on the door. A clergyman delivered the news that every parent of the time dreaded. Jessie’s son had been killed in action in the Great War. Private Warwick Hickson was an organ builder who became a soldier in June 1916. …

Anzac Day Dawn Service, Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

“They never gave up the fight. They never admitted defeat. They never asked for help.” These were the words of war correspondent Osmar White writing from the Kokoda Track in September 1942. The Kokoda Track bore witness to some of the most desperate and vicious fighting encountered by Australian…