Colin Boyce (Flynn, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I present the committee's report on the inquiry into the Department of Defence annual report 2023-24.

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).

by leave—The Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force protect Australia and our national interest to the advantage of our security and prosperity. Defence pursues this mission during a time of global uncertainty, where challenges to the rules based international order continue to shape our strategic environment. Defence effectiveness is essential for Australia's national interests.

The Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade therefore conducted its inquiry into the Defence annual report 2023-24 to examine areas relating to Australia's overall defence strategy as outlined in the 2024 National defence strategy. The subcommittee found that, while Defence is fulfilling its mission to protect Australia, there are areas for improvement. The subcommittee has therefore made 23 recommendations which will enhance Defence's communications with the public and the Australian defence industry, strengthen Defence's social licence and improve industry's capacity to support Defence.

This is a comprehensive report put forward by the committee. They've done an enormous amount of work on it. I recommend that members read the report, as it goes on to say, in this world of uncertainty that we face today, it's important that we support our ADF personnel and, therefore, all their requirements.

I thank the subcommittee chair, Senator Deborah O'Neill, for her stewardship of the inquiry. I thank my fellow subcommittee members for their contributions throughout this inquiry. I also thank the Hon. Shayne Neumann MP, the chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, and Senator Dean Smith, the deputy chair, for their leadership and counsel. I note the Hon. Shayne Neumann is away from parliament; my best wishes to him and his family. I move:

That the House take note of the report.

Mike Freelander (Macarthur, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.