Statements

Joint statement - Second France-Australia Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations

1- The second Australia-France Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations reflected the shared commitment to restore a dynamic bilateral relationship founded on trust and shared interests, in line with the priorities agreed by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and Australian…

Senator Jim Molan AO DSC

We are saddened to hear about the death of Senator Jim Molan AO DSC and send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues on this difficult day.   Senator Molan has been a fierce advocate for the people of New South Wales in this Parliament since his election to the Senate in…

Tenth Japan-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations Joint Statement

H.E. Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Mr. HAMADA Yasukazu, Minister of Defence of Japan, the Hon. Richard Marles MP, the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, and Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, held…

AUKUS Defense Ministerial Joint Statement

Washington, D.C.- On December 7, 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosted the Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia, and the Right Honourable Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom, at the Pentagon to discuss the Australia…

Joint Statement on Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2022

The Governments of the United States of America and Australia released the following statement on the occasion of the 32nd annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN). 

Supporting the kind of region we want

When most people think of Siem Reap in Cambodia, they think of the historic temples of Angkor Wat, which sit just outside the city bounds. They don’t think of it as the focal point for managing geostrategic competition. But last week, that’s just what it was. I was privileged to represent Australia…

Remembering all those who serve

Each year, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, we pause for Remembrance Day to honour and commemorate all Australians who have served our nation in war, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.  In particular, we remember the more than 103,000 Australian servicemen and women…

Independent review into the Afghanistan Locally Engaged Employee program

As part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to standing by those who helped Australia, today we announce Dr Vivienne Thom AM will lead an Independent Review into the Afghan Locally Engaged Employee (LEE) program. Established in 2012, the program gives eligible locally engaged Afghan employees,…

Statement on efforts to recruit former ADF pilots

Last month we heard concerning reports that ex-Australian Defence Force personnel may have been approached to provide military related training to China. At the time, I asked my Department to urgently investigate these reports. The information provided to me so far presents enough evidence to…

Australia advances responsible action in space

The Australian Government commits to never conduct destructive, direct-ascent anti‑satellite missile testing, consistent with our role as a responsible actor in space. When carried out, these tests generate large amounts of debris that remain in space for years; threatening satellites and other…

Status of Forces Agreement between Fiji and Australia

On 20 October 2022, Minister for Defence, National Security, and Policing and Minister for Agriculture, Rural & Maritime Development, and National Disaster Management the Hon Inia Seruiratu and Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence the Hon Richard Marles MP signed a Status…

Australia-New Zealand Defence Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles MP, hosted New Zealand Minister of Defence Hon Peeni Henare in Geelong today for the annual Australia–New Zealand Defence Ministers’ Meeting. Australia and New Zealand have a uniquely close relationship. We are bound together…