The Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has concluded its inquiry into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2023–24 and tabled its report.
The Subcommittee's inquiry covered a diverse range of themes relating to the work of Defence, including:
- Progress on the transformation to an integrated focused force
- Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities
- AUKUS
- Uncrewed/autonomous systems and their integration into the joint force
- Defence estate, security and resilience
- Australian international defence cooperation and competition.
Defence Subcommittee Chair Senator Deborah O'Neill said that 'the effectiveness of the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force is vital to Australia's national interests. The Subcommittee therefore undertook this inquiry to determine how Defence is performing across a range of matters critical to Australia's national security. The Committee found that Defence is fulfilling its mission to protect Australia, but that there are areas for improvement.'
'The Committee's report has drawn on evidence received by stakeholders including Defence, industry and experts to inform its 23 recommendations. The purpose of the Committee's recommendations is to enhance the work of Defence, including in relation to Defence's social licence and industry's capacity to support Defence.'
'I thank stakeholders for contributing to the Subcommittee's inquiry, including those who attended public hearings. I particularly thank the Department of Defence for hosting the Subcommittee at locations across Australia, including Defence bases in Sydney, Darwin and Perth, and for attending multiple public hearings.
Further information in relation to the inquiry is available from the JSCFADT's website.
