APPOINTMENT AS SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY AND SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

Today, the Coalition announced its new Shadow Ministry, and I am grateful to have been appointed as both Shadow Minister for Defence Industry and Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel.

Australia is an incredible country and gives us much to be thankful for, however that has not happened by accident. I have often said that we must never take our freedoms and way of life for granted, and in our current geopolitical circumstances, that means our safety and security is more important than ever.

Unfortunately, Anthony Albanese has been weak and his government has performed terribly in defence matters. I am grateful for both Andrew Hastie and Luke Howarth who dedicated themselves to holding the Albanese Government to account for those failings during the last term of Parliament. I look forward to building on those efforts alongside Angus Taylor as the new Shadow Minister for Defence in this next term in Opposition.

Serving as the Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians during the last term of Parliament was an enormous privilege for which I will always be grateful. The fact is, we have entered a new term of Parliament, with new leadership and I now sit in a new party room. These are realities that I am incredibly mindful of, which is why I have repeatedly said that I am ready and willing to serve the Coalition in whatever position the new leadership determines.

Kerrynne Liddle has long advocated for the empowerment of Indigenous Australians and I know she will ensure the interests of our most marginalised are not taken advantage of by the Albanese Labor Government.

The Coalition has a long road ahead if we are to be an effective Opposition over the next three years. It is a task which demands the full attention of every Coalition member and is one that I will give myself to wholeheartedly. I am grateful for the chance to support our defence industry and personnel and to ensure that our nation’s security only gets stronger and is not compromised by the Albanese Labor Government.

[ENDS]

Contact: Rebekah Hart | 0459 893 181