Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the minister—I thank the senator!—for his question and for his interest in international relations and foreign affairs and security. Today the Prime Minister and the defence minister announced details of the Defence Strategic Review. In 2020, the Defence Strategic Update identified that changes in Australia's strategic environment were accelerating far more rapidly than was predicted in the 2012 Force Posture Review. So, to meet these challenges, the Defence Strategic Review, which was announced today, will examine force structure, force posture and preparedness. It will also examine investment prioritisation. The objective, which I would hope is shared across the chamber, is to ensure that the Defence Force, the Australian Defence Force, has the right capabilities to meet the growing strategic needs Australia faces.

The government has appointed two eminent leads to conduct the review: former minister for defence and for foreign affairs Professor the Hon. Steven Smith, and former CDF Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston (Rtd). This work will help ensure that the ADF is well positioned to meet the security challenges we face over the next decade and beyond. You see, the Albanese government understands well that Australia's security, in a more complex and contested world, means we have to use all elements of state power, and we have to ensure all elements of state power are fit for purpose—that is, strategic, economic, social and diplomatic. The purpose, of course, is always the advancement of Australian interest and Australian values.

Unfortunately, we do know there was a great deal of damage done to Australia's international relationships by the previous government. But we have made a strong start since the change of government. (Time expired)