Labor keeps making big announcements but little progress. In this speech, I spoke about why the $12 billion promise for the Henderson Defence Precinct can’t just be another headline, it needs real funding, a clear plan, and urgency. Western Australia deserves to be at the centre of Australia’s shipbuilding future, and our nation needs to invest in defence readiness, not rhetoric. The Coalition will always back our Defence Force and our industry with action, not announcements.
Opinion Piece - MISSILE PROGRAM OFF TARGET
Last week during Senate Estimates, Defence officials confirmed Australia faces the most dangerous strategic environment since World War II, with the military power of the Chinese Communist Party expanding at record speed.
In this environment, it has never been more important for Australia to build real defence capability.
This requires strengthening our defence arsenal, which will enhance collective deterrence, but also requires a strong sovereign defence industry that can withstand troubling times.
This week, the Albanese Government announced what it called a joint statement of intent with the United States on guided weapons.
It sounds impressive but let’s be clear, this is an agreement to make an agreement.
After three years in government, Labor through the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise has not delivered a single missile made on Australian soil.
Defence officials have even confirmed that as part of their efforts to ensure staff “can bring their authentic self to work”, the GWEO Enterprise has produced more cookbooks for Harmony Day than missiles.
That might sound like a joke but it highlights a very serious problem with this government’s priorities.
The Coalition supports close co-operation with the US.
It is the backbone of our national security and just as Australia has famously done during wartime, we must pull our own weight.
True partnership means Australia contributing capability, technology and production capacity. That’s why we welcomed the announcement that the Government has an intent to strengthen ties with the US, including through the export of guided weapons.
But with no missiles of our own, it is unlikely we will be in a position to export any time soon.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy outlined that co-production was on the horizon but with no timeline, no figures and no firm commitment to manufacture precision strike missiles here in Australia, this appears to be simply another example of the Government substituting press releases for progress.
What marvellous timing as well with Anthony Albanese due to finally have his first proper meeting with Donald Trump next week, almost one year on from his election as US President.
If a light-on-detail announcement before a potential meeting with the US President sounds familiar, that’s because it is.
Just last month, before the Prime Minister was set to fly to United Nations and hoped to secure a meeting with President Trump, he announced $12 billion towards the Henderson Defence Precinct here in WA.
Since the Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence and Premier Roger Cook all posed for photos at Henderson, the Albanese Government’s plans have come under heavy scrutiny.
While the Prime Minister promised $12b towards the precinct’s redevelopment, the total figure required by his Government’s own admission is likely to be $25b.
The Government can’t even answer basic questions on when and over what period its commitment will be spent.
If that’s not all, the boundaries and definition of the Henderson precinct haven’t even been finalised, and the planning work won’t be complete until 2027.
Still these factors didn’t prevent the PM announcing this would deliver 10,000 skilled jobs and an enduring shipbuilding industry.
The timing of these announcements says a lot. It suggests these decisions are being driven more by a motivation to please President Trump than being a true reflection of a co-ordinated plan to support Australia’s industrial base.
This lack of delivery isn’t just frustrating for industry, it’s dangerous for the country. In a deteriorating strategic environment, Australia can’t afford to wait years for decisions while our potential adversaries move ahead at speed.
Let me be clear, the Coalition wants the Government to succeed here, and we do not seek to play politics with national security.
But we have a duty to hold the Government to account and as far as I see it, Labor is failing in its most basic duty which is keeping Australians safe.
Fulfilling that duty begins with resourcing Defence properly. We cannot meet this moment on yesterday’s budget.
The Government must lift Defence spending to at least 3 per cent of GDP to match the scale of the challenge before us.
This also must be a real increase leading to increased capability, not an accounting trick that includes existing expenditure on defence pensions and Border Force, to artificially raise the rate.
West Australians understand what it means to build things that last. We’ve done it in resources, energy and agriculture, and we can do it again with shipbuilding. But we need a government that turns intention into industry and talk into tangible results.
Announcements don’t defend our nation.
Missiles will. Ships will. Skilled Australian workers will.
ENDS.
*Published in the West Australian, 16 October 2025
The Hon Melissa Price MP
Federal Member for Durack
Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel
Media Release - Labor's Missile Announcement Fails to Fire
International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
Yesterday I spoke about attending the fantastic launch of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists at the Perth Royal Show. From food and fibre to biodiversity and innovation, our pastoralists are the heartbeat of regional WA. Big thanks to Debbie Dowden and all who are leading the way into 2026
The Albanese Labor Government does not care about Australian producers
Do you know what’s really bananas? The Albanese Labor Government are considering banana imports from the Philippines - when Carnarvon growers already supply WA with world class fruit! Our farmers, our families and our communities must come first.
Broome Boating Facility
Broome has waited 20+ years for a safe boat ramp. The Broome Fishing Club made it clear to me recently just how urgently this facility is needed. In 2022, the Cook Labor Government promised $36M of the $77M required, yet approvals are still stalled. Today in Parliament, I called on them to act.
Mt Magnet District High School comes to Parliament House!
Last month, I had the privilege of welcoming students and teachers from Mt Magnet District High School to Parliament House. These bright young leaders shared what they would do for their town if they were Prime Minister - from hospital upgrades and more housing, to a new arts centre, basketball courts, and even a motocross track. Check out their ideas in my speech below.
Opinion Piece - Prospect Of Fighting Wars In Space Is No Science Fiction
Thousands congregated at the weekend for an event of national and international significance. I am not referring to the AFL grand final in Melbourne, but instead the start of the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney.
This event is expected to draw more than 10,000 people from across the globe involved in the exponentially growing space sector.
And when I say exponentially growing, I mean it. McKinsey recently estimated the global space economy is worth US$630 billion and will grow 9 per cent annually to $US1.8t by 2035. To put this into perspective there are currently around 12,000 active satellites and this is projected to reach 60,000 by 2040.
Australia should be at the forefront of this revolution.
Our geographic location, vast open spaces, clear skies and homegrown talent and innovation provide us with a massive advantage in terms of launch capacity, world leading research and advanced manufacturing.
The last Coalition government recognised this opportunity and understood the importance of space for Australia’s future.
We established the Australian Space Agency and invested record amounts towards research and enabling infrastructure, as part of our goal to triple the domestic space sector to $12b and to create an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030.
We also recognised space as a contested area between nations and that we needed to stay ahead of our adversaries. That’s why we invested billions towards developing sovereign defence space capability.
Unfortunately, the change of government demonstrated a stark difference between our vision for space as being central to both national security and economic prosperity, and Labor’s vision for space as being a budget line to cut.
In their first term Labor ripped more than a billion dollars from our space sector. This included cuts from the Australian Spaceports program, the Australian Technology into Orbit program and the high-profile Moon to Mars program. The abolition of the $1.2 billion National Space Mission for Earth Observation was of most concern.
This investment would have seen Australia design, build and operate our own satellites to obtain information that is central to everyday life — from forecasting weather and responding to natural disasters through to managing our environment and supporting our farmers. This mission would have created 500 jobs and involved more than 100 Australian suppliers.
Consider these cuts in terms of Labor’s so-called Future Made in Australia agenda.
The then CEO of the Space Industry Association of Australia lauded NSMEO as the “most strategic and significant space public policy in 40 years” and that “Australia must be a country that makes things again” and that “the decision to cut NSMEO will leave Australia dependent on foreign providers”.
In recent months in my capacity as shadow minister for science and now as the shadow minister for defence industry I have been meeting with Australian space companies and industry representatives. A consistent message I have received is of disappointment in the Government’s attitude to the sector. The perception is that space is not a priority and that the Government doesn’t mind if we lose these opportunities to other countries.
The people I have met are patriotic innovators who are driven to establish a thriving industry in Australia that protects our national security, diversifies our economy and creates good local jobs.
Last month I moved a private members motion calling on the Albanese Government to re-prioritise Australia’s space sector including investing in our sovereign capability.
As I said then it’s not too late for the Albanese Government to turn things around. Hosting this year’s IAC means the eyes of the world will once again be on Australia. I understand the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator Tim Ayres, will be giving an address and I look forward to hearing it in person.
It’s critical the minister does not neglect this opportunity to right the wrongs of Labor’s first term. This address must signal we are open for business and that we want to be a global leader in space, not just a consumer.
A small initiative or one-off investment is not enough. We need a fully fledged strategy that will not only keep our existing companies from moving offshore, but a plan to grow the sector and to immediately invest in joint allied capacity in space.
The Coalition has called on the Government to increase defence spending to at least 3 per cent of GDP to make us as strong as possible as fast as possible. This means investing in all war fighting domains — including space.
Protecting our assets in space which enable our response here on Earth would further deter any aggression in our region. This is no longer science fiction and the Albanese Government must act now.
*Published in the West Australian, 29 September 2025
The Hon Melissa Price MP
Federal Member for Durack
Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel
Media Release - Honoured to be appointed Shadow Minister for Defence Industry and Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel
Standing Up for Durack’s Future
Re-elected for a fifth term, I remain committed to standing up for the people of Durack. My priorities this Parliament include fighting against Labor’s live sheep export ban, tackling the housing crisis, securing affordable energy, improving outcomes for Indigenous Australians, strengthening cyber defences, and backing science and space. Thank you to the people of Durack for your trust - I will keep making your voices heard in Canberra.
Labor's Mass Migration Mess
Despite housing shortages, strained infrastructure and record hospital ramping, Labor is pressing ahead with record levels of migration. With net overseas arrivals far exceeding forecasts and international student caps increasing, the Government is ignoring legitimate concerns about affordability, congestion and social cohesion. Young Australians deserve a fair go, not a future of higher costs and fewer opportunities.
Rising Phishing Scams Catch Young Australians Off Guard
Reports show a sharp increase in phishing scams targeting young Australians, with Bankwest recording a 49% rise in losses among 18–24 year olds last year. Despite being tech-savvy, young people remain vulnerable to cyber criminals. The best defence is simple: don’t click suspicious links and always verify messages directly with the institution.
My take on the March for Australia
The March for Australia drew thousands of everyday Australians - mums and dads, workers and retirees - who want their voices heard on cost of living pressures and Labor’s reckless migration program. While extremists must always be condemned, it is wrong to dismiss the many fair-minded Australians who marched out of love for their country and concern for its future.
Vale Arnold Carter
Last week in Parliament I paid tribute to the late Arnold Carter of Port Hedland. For more than 60 years, Arnold helped shape the town he loved – from driving the development of the port and serving as Shire President, to championing countless community causes. His passing is a great loss to Port Hedland, the Pilbara, and all of Western Australia.
Media Statement - Aussie Roo-ver Going to the Moon
Iranian Attacks Exposed: Government Must Be Ready for Cyber Retaliation
Revelations that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps orchestrated attacks in Australia highlight the serious threat of foreign interference. While the expulsion of Iran’s Ambassador was appropriate, cyber retaliation is now a real risk. I thank ASIO for keeping Australians safe and urge the Albanese Government to be transparent and ready to support those targeted, as all Australians remain vigilant online.
AUKUS is too important to fail
With Australia facing its most dangerous strategic environment since World War II, the Albanese Government must match words with action. Delays in AUKUS planning, underfunded defence projects and inadequate allied engagement put national security at risk. Stronger spending, enhanced cyber capabilities, and delivering on commitments are critical to protect Australians and uphold our alliance.
Labor’s Cuts Risk Our Space Future
Australia’s space industry has enormous potential for jobs, national security and innovation. The Coalition invested over $2 billion, established the Australian Space Agency, and backed world-leading projects like the Square Kilometre Array and lunar rover development. Sadly, Labor has cut key programs like the National Space Mission for Earth Observation, leaving us more dependent on foreign providers. With the global space economy set to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, Australia must seize this opportunity – not squander it.
Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025
Today I supported the Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025 - because delivering AUKUS starts with housing. As the Member for Durack, I know WA must be ready to host our allies. However, without new funding or a housing plan, this Government risks failing before we even begin. Defence spending must rise - including in cyber - because national security can’t wait.
Are you paying twice to see a GP?
Ratepayers are funding doctors, then paying again at the clinic. Labor said all you need is a Medicare card - for regional WA that was a lie. Watch my speech calling on the Health Minister to fix it.