Statement on ministerial changes

Today I had the honour of being sworn in as a member of Cabinet in the Ministry team announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister for giving me the opportunity to continue to serve in Cabinet as part of a united Labor Government. I look forward to working every day with all my Labor colleagues to deliver better outcomes and more opportunities for all Australians.

Under the changes announced today, I will continue to serve as Minister for Defence Industry. Since coming to office, the Albanese Government has boosted spending on defence to record levels under a stable Defence Ministerial team, led by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. I will continue delivering the capabilities our Australian Defence Force (ADF) needs to safeguard Australians and their interests while ensuring growth of our local defence industry and putting it at the forefront of a secure future made in Australia.

As Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, I will continue to build positive relations with the Pacific family as part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for Australia and our region. I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue striking innovative agreements with the region like we saw in our first term with countries like Tuvalu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

This new ministerial shape not only means I can continue to focus on working to modernise the ADF while fostering better relations in the Pacific, but also creates an opportunity for others. I congratulate Dr Anne Aly on her promotion to Cabinet and appointment as the new Minister for International Development, among other roles, and I look forward to working with her.

In my time as Minister for International Development, I am proud to have worked with Foreign Minister Penny Wong on delivering the largest increase in Official Development Assistance in over a decade. We have also renewed the entire architecture of the Australian aid program, including setting world-leading targets on climate change, gender equality and disability equity. Our efforts in this space have re-established Australia as a reliable partner for the region, which is critical in a time of huge disruption and uncertainty.

I would like to thank Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Foreign Minister Wong for their support, which has been invaluable in delivering better outcomes in the portfolios for which I have had responsibility since the Albanese Government was first elected in May 2022. I’m proud to be part of a united Ministry that works together to ensure no Australian is left behind.