I am honoured to be appointed today as Minister for Defence Industry in the Government and look forward to growing Australia's support of our armed forces and creation of more jobs for Australians.
The Australian Government is committing $200 billion over the next decade (to 2028-29) to keep Australians safe by investing in our defence capability - the largest build-up of the Australian military in our peacetime history.
My focus is to ensure Australia's Defence industry is fully supported to meet the needs and aspirations of the Navy, Army and Air Force, while creating employment for Australians and strengthening our economy through Defence exports.
As a Federal Member whose electorate spans most of regional and remote Western Australia, I understand that expanding our sovereign Defence industry will involve a broad landscape of industry and educational needs.
To support the companies contracted directly by Defence we need to ensure the right STEM skills pathways for our youth and provide opportunities for the workforce behind our Defence Forces.
This includes tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises - often located across regional Australia - who protect our Australian service men and women through the provision of equipment and services and the maintenance of comprehensive supply chains.
I look forward to working with the Department of Defence, Defence industry and all Defence stakeholders to ensure the continued success of the Government's Defence industry agenda. I also thank Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSM, the Hon Christopher Pyne and the Hon Steven Ciobo, for their tireless work in transforming Australia's Defence industry.
In looking forward to the challenge ahead, I would like to wish my Parliamentary colleague the Hon Sussan Ley MP every success as Minister for the Environment.
The Coalition has a proud record of meeting Australia's international environment commitments, of unprecedented investment in clean energy technology and in ensuring robust assessment processes that balance strong environmental protection with the needs of Australia's economy.
I thank Prime Minister Scott Morrison for the opportunity to serve the people of Australia and our Defence Forces in particular and I thank the people of Durack for re-electing me as their local representative.
I will continue to be work hard for our local community because the people of Durack deserve nothing less.
