On 18 February 2025, the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will conduct its first public hearing into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2023–24.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 18 February 2025

On 18 February 2025, the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will conduct its first public hearing into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2023–24. The Subcommittee will hear evidence from the Department of Defence, government departments, non-government organisations and the Australian public across the inquiry’s focus items: Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities Defence Estate, Security and Resilience AUKUS Uncrewed/Autonomous Systems, AI and their integration into the Joint Force Progress on the transformation to an integrated focused force Australian international defence cooperation and competition Other issues as communicated to Defence. Chair of the Subcommittee, Hon Mr Brendan O’Connor MP, explained, 'Parliamentary committees are an important mechanism parliament uses to keep a check on Government activities and government departments, and to hear from experts and public interest groups. 'This year’s Inquiry is focusing on priorities such as Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities, Defence Estate, security and resilience, the AUKUS trilateral security partnership, uncrewed/autonomous systems, AI and its integration into the Joint Force, progress on the transformation to an integrated focused force, and Australian international defence cooperation and competition in a rapidly changing strategic environment.' Further information is available on the Inquiry webpage with the hearing broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Public Hearing Details Tuesday, 18 February 2024, 9:00pm – 2:00pm (AEDT) Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra Media inquiries Nicole Camilleri, office of Brendan O’Connor, MP (Member for Gorton; Chair, Defence Subcommittee) Ph: 03 8390 6166 For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.