The minister for defence is the minister of state of the Commonwealth of Australia charged with overseeing the organisation, implementation, and formulation of strategic policy in defence and military
Richard marles 2022 portrait
Richard Marles
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Richard Donald Marles is an Australian politician and lawyer who has served as the 19th deputy prime minister of Australia and the minister for defence since 2022. He has been the deputy leader of the
Minister for Defence (Australia)
…for defence is responsible for the Australian Defence Organisation, including the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The current defence minister is Richard Marles, who is also concurrently serving as deputy prime minister of Australia, having been selected by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in May 2022 following…
Marles visiting Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya, in 2012
Marles visiting the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, United States, in February 2025
Marles and Philippine Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro witness joint Australia–Philippine military exercises in San Vicente, Palawan, Philippines, in August 2025