THE HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

STATEMENT
PART-TIME MINISTER ABANDONS DEFENCE

Tuesday 8 April 2025

Richard Marles is so ambivalent about Defence that he is already lining up his next position — reported rumour has it as Foreign Affairs Minister.

After cutting and delaying more than $80 billion in funding from Defence, Australia’s part-time Defence Minister says he has “almost completed the job.”

No wonder Labor has failed to deliver in Defence.

Richard Marles résumé as Defence Minister includes:

• Breaking his promise to spend 2.4 per cent of GDP on Defence and changing Labor’s target to “over 2.3 per cent.”
• Failing to add any new funding for Defence in the recent budget
• Driving defence morale into the ground resulting in 89% of Australian Defence Force (ADF) applicants withdrawing last year.
• Failing to secure job orders for Australian defence industry with 47% of defence businesses believing it is ‘difficult’ or ‘extremely difficult' to operate in the sector under Labor.

Richard Marles’ failure to commit to the Defence portfolio is consistent with his tenure as Defence Minister. He is not focussed on the job.

ADF personnel and Australian defence industry know this — they have had a tough three years under this Albanese Government.

Defence requires a strong Minister who is committed to the task at hand, not lining up his next promotion while still in the position. 

Only a Dutton Coalition Government will take Australia’s national security seriously and get defence back on track.

[ENDS]