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Minister for Defence (Australia)#Ministers for Air

{{Short description|Australian cabinet position}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}

{{Use Australian English|date=September 2022}}

{{Infobox official post

| post = Minister for Defence

| insignia = Coat_of_Arms_of_Australia.svg

| insigniacaption = Commonwealth Coat of Arms

| image = Australian Minister for Defence Richard Marles at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2024 - 5 (3x4 cropped).jpg

| incumbent = Richard Marles

| incumbentsince = 1 June 2022

| department = Department of Defence

| style = The Honourable (formal)

| member_of = Parliament
Cabinet
Federal Executive Council
National Security Committee

| reports_to =

| seat = Canberra

| nominator =

| appointer = Governor-General

| appointer_qualified = on the advice the prime minister

| termlength = At the Governor-General's pleasure

| constituting_instrument =

| formation = 1 January 1901

| first = James Dickson

| salary = $364,406{{Cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1819/Quick_Guides/ParliamentaryRemuneration|title=2018 Parliamentary remuneration and business resources: a quick guide|date=6 September 2018|website=Parliament of Australia|access-date=15 June 2019}}

| website = {{URL|https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/current-ministers/2022-06/richard-marles}}

}}

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 matters as the head of the Department of Defence. The Minister for Defence is responsible for the Australian Defence Organisation and 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 the 2022 Australian federal election.{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2013Q00005/Html/Text|title=Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act|last=PMC|first=AG|website=www.legislation.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2019-04-19}}

As the Minister for Defence is responsible for the management of Australia's defence and military forces and the portfolio's accountability to the Parliament, the secretary of Defence is required under section 63(1) of the Public Service Act 1999 and the Requirements for Annual Reports from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Public Accounts and Audit to submit a report to the responsible ministers on the activities of the Department of Defence after the end of each financial year for presentation to the Parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Annual_Report_Requirements_Final_1.pdf|title=Requirements for Annual Reports|date=25 June 2015|website=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|access-date=2019-04-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A00538|title=Federal Register of Legislation - Australian Government|website=www.legislation.gov.au|access-date=2019-04-19}}

It is one of only four ministerial positions (along with prime minister, attorney-general and treasurer) that have existed since Federation.{{cite book |editor1-last=Elder |editor1-first=DR |editor2-last=Fowler |editor2-first=PE |title=House of Representatives Practice |date=June 2018 |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |location=Canberra, Australia |isbn=978-1-74366-656-2 |edition=7th |chapter-url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/Powers_practice_and_procedure/Practice7/HTML/Chapter2/The_Ministry |access-date=19 October 2019 |language=en-AU |chapter=Chapter 2: The Ministry}}

Defence policy

The Defence minister is primarily responsible for implementing government defence policy. The three main entities responsible for formulating defence policy within Defence are the Air Power Development Centre, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and Sea Power Centre - Australia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/security-and-defence/defence-policy|title=Defence policy|website=www.australia.gov.au|access-date=2019-04-19}} Additionally, the minister releases white papers, that assess Australia's current defence capabilities and set out areas of reform.{{Cite web|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper/|title=2016 Defence White Paper|date=2016|website=Australian Government, Department of Defence}}

The most recent white paper publication is the 2016 Defence White Paper that includes three elements: the 2016 Defence White Paper itself, 2016 Integrated Investment Program, and 2016 Defence Industry Policy Statement. It is the eighth defence white paper since 1976.

Composition of the defence portfolio

Over the years there have been a number of ministers with a variety of functions involved in the defence portfolio; in the period November 1939 to April 1942, there was no position named Minister of Defence. Instead, several ministers were responsible for the various tasks and duties that are presently under the purview of the minister for Defence.

Previous governments have included ministers with titles using one or more of the following terms:

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}

  • Air
  • Aircraft production
  • Army
  • Defence
  • Defence Coordination
  • Defence Industry
  • Defence Materiel
  • Defence Personnel
  • Defence Production
  • Defence Science
  • Defence Support
  • Development
  • MunitionsThe Department of Munitions was created during World War II, and existed between 11 June 1940 and April 1948.
  • Navy
  • Repatriation
  • Shipping
  • Supply
  • Veterans' Affairs

{{div col end}}

List of ministers for defence

There was a Minister for Defence from 1 January 1901 until 13 November 1939, with the exception of two small breaks. Robert Menzies, the Prime Minister, abolished the position on the outbreak of World War II and created separate Ministers for the Navy, the Army and the Air, with himself as Minister for Defence Coordination in his first ministry. He retained this position until the fall of his government, and then held the post in the brief government of Arthur Fadden. John Curtin initially followed the same arrangement as Menzies in his ministry until 14 April 1942, when he took the title of Minister for Defence. The separate titles of Ministers for the Navy, the Army and the Air were abolished in the second Whitlam Ministry on 30 November 1973, when the separate departments of Navy, Army and Air were also abolished. There had also been a separate Navy portfolio between 1915 and 1921.

The following have served as Minister for Defence:{{cite book |chapter-url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;adv=yes;db=HANDBOOK;id=handbook%2Fnewhandbook%2F2011-10-13%2F0063;orderBy=customrank;page=0;query=parliamentary%2Bhandbook%20SearchCategory_Phrase%3A%22publications%22;rec=14;resCount=Default |title=Parliamentary Handbook |chapter=Ministries and Cabinets |author=Australian Parliamentary Library |edition=32nd |access-date=6 September 2013}}

class="wikitable"

! width=5 | Order

! width=350 | Minister

! width=150 colspan=2 | Party

! width=75 | Prime Minister

! width=140 | Term start

! width= 140 | Term end

! width=130 | Term in office

align=center | 1

| Sir James Dickson {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KCMG|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|Protectionist}} |  

| Protectionist

| Barton

| align=center | 1 January 1901

| align=center | 10 January 1901

| align=right | {{age in days|1901|1|1|1901|1|10}} days

colspan=8 style="background: #cccccc;" |
align=center align=center | 2

| John Forrest {{post-nominals|country=AUS|CMG|MP}}

| rowspan=3 {{Australian party style|Protectionist}} |  

| rowspan=3 | Protectionist

| rowspan=2 | Barton

| align=center | 17 January 1901

| align=center | 10 August 1903

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1901|1|17|1903|8|10}}

align=center | 3

| Senator James Drake

| align=center | 10 August 1903

| align=center align=center | 24 September 1903

| align=right | {{age in days|1903|8|10|1903|9|24}} days

align=center | 4

| Austin Chapman {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| Deakin

| align=center align=center | 24 September 1903

| align=center align=center | 27 April 1904

| align=right | {{age in days|1903|9|24|1904|4|27}} days

align=center | 5

| Senator Anderson Dawson

| {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| Labor

| Watson

| align=center align=center | 27 April 1904

| align=center | 18 August 1904

| align=right | {{age in days|1904|4|27|1904|8|18}} days

align=center | 6

| James McCay {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=3 {{Australian party style|Protectionist}} |

| rowspan=3 | Protectionist

| Reid

| align=center | 18 August 1904

| align=center | 5 July 1905

| align=right | {{age in days|1904|8|18|1905|7|5}} days

align=center | 7

| Senator Thomas Playford

| rowspan=2 | Deakin

| align=center | 5 July 1905

| align=center align=center | 24 January 1907

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1905|7|5|1907|1|24}}

align=center | 8

| Sir Thomas Ewing {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KCMG|MP}}

| align=center align=center | 24 January 1907

| align=center | 13 November 1908

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1907|1|24|1908|11|13}}

align=center | 9

| Senator George PearceAlthough McBride served the longest continuously, Pearce had the longest combined service at more than 13 years, and as a member of four parties (Labor, National Labor, Nationalist, and UAP).

| {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| Labor

| Fisher

| align=center | 13 November 1908

| align=center align=center | 2 June 1909

| align=right | {{age in days|1908|11|13|1909|6|2}} days

align=center | 10

| Joseph Cook {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|Commonwealth Liberal}}|

| Liberal

| Deakin

| align=center align=center | 2 June 1909

| align=center align=center | 29 April 1910

| align=right | {{age in days|1909|6|2|1910|4|29}} days

align=center | (9)

| Senator George Pearce

| {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| Labor

| Fisher

| align=center align=center | 29 April 1910

| align=center align=center | 24 June 1913

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1910|4|29|1913|6|24}}

align=center | 11

| Senator Edward Millen

| {{Australian party style|Commonwealth Liberal}}|

| Liberal

| Cook

| align=center align=center | 24 June 1913

| align=center | 17 September 1914

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1913|6|24|1914|9|17}}

rowspan=4 align=center | (9)

| rowspan=4 | Senator George Pearce

| rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| rowspan=2 | Labor

| Fisher

| align=center | 17 September 1914

| align=center align=center | 27 October 1915

| rowspan=4 align=right | {{age in years and days|1914|9|17|1921|12|21}}

rowspan=4 | Hughes

| align=center align=center | 27 October 1915

| align=center | 14 November 1916

{{Australian party style|National Labor}} |

| National Labor

| align=center | 14 November 1916

| align=center | 13 June 1917{{#tag:ref|The Liberal and National Labor parties approved a coalition agreement on 13 February 1917,{{cite web |access-date=14 August 2013 |date=14 February 1917 |page=7 |work=The Advertiser |location=Adelaide |title=The National Government: Agreement Reached |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5561670}} and the new ministry was sworn on 17 February 1917.{{cite web |access-date=13 August 2013 |date=7 April 1917 |page=9 |work=Morning Bulletin |location=Rockhampton, Qld |title='Win the War' Party |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53808375}} The parties co-ordinated their campaign against Labor at the 1917 election,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105399612 |title='Fusion' Campaign: Joint Committee to Fight Labor |pages=5 |work=Daily Herald |location=Adelaide |date=4 April 1917 |access-date=25 September 2013}} and while there was some discussion of the two parties remaining separate,{{cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1625180 |title=Fawkner's New Member, Mr. Maxwell's Resolution |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=13 June 1917 |access-date=25 September 2013}} they formally merged on 13 June 1917.{{cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article81022424 |title='Straight Ahead' for Nationalists |work=The Daily News |location=Perth |date=14 June 1917 |access-date=25 September 2013}}|group=n|name=Nationalists}}

rowspan=5 {{Australian party style|Nationalist}} |

| rowspan=5 | Nationalist

| align=center | 13 June 1917

| align=center align=center | 21 December 1921

align=center | 12

| Walter Massy-Greene {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}{{#tag:ref|The Parliamentary Handbook erroneously records Massy-Greene as Assistant Minister for Defence from 1921 to 1923. He was in fact the Minister for Defence.{{cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66720358 |title=The Federal Cabinet |work=Geraldton Guardian |location=Geraldton, WA |date=22 December 1921 |access-date=25 September 2013}} He retained responsibility for Health, which he had held as Minister for Trade and Customs,{{cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106641009 |title=Reconstructed Cabinet: Mr Massy Greene's Responsibilities |work=Daily Herald |location=Adelaide |date=26 December 1921 |access-date=25 September 2013}} and was consequently titled Minister for Defence and Health.{{cite Hansard |jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia |house=House of Representatives |speaker=Billy Hughes |position=Prime Minister of Australia |date=28 June 1922 |url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;adv=yes;db=HANSARD80;id=hansard80%2Fhansardr80%2F1922-06-28%2F0009;orderBy=_fragment_number,doc_date-rev;page=0;query=Dataset%3Ahansardr,hansardr80%20Decade%3A%221920s%22%20Year%3A%221922%22%20Month%3A%2206%22%20Day%3A%2228%22;rec=1;resCount=Default |title=Parliamentary Debate}}|group=n}}

| align=center align=center | 21 December 1921

| align=center | 9 February 1923

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1921|12|21|1923|2|9}}

align=center | 13

| Eric Bowden {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=3 | Bruce

| align=center | 9 February 1923

| align=center | 16 January 1925

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1923|2|9|1925|1|16}}

align=center | 14

| Sir Neville Howse {{post-nominals|country=AUS|VCi|KCB|KCMG|MP}}

| align=center | 16 January 1925

| align=center align=center | 2 April 1927

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1925|1|16|1927|4|2}}

align=center | 15

| Senator Sir William Glasgow {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KCB|CMG|DSO|VD}}

| align=center align=center | 2 April 1927

| align=center align=center | 22 October 1929

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1927|4|2|1929|10|22}}

align=center | 16

| Albert Green {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=3 {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| rowspan=3 | Labor

| rowspan=3 | Scullin

| align=center align=center | 22 October 1929

| align=center | 4 February 1931

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1929|10|22|1931|2|4}}

align=center | 17

| Senator John Daly

| align=center | 4 February 1931

| align=center | 3 March 1931

| align=right | {{age in days|1931|2|4|1931|3|3}} days

align=center | 18

| Ben Chifley {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 3 March 1931

| align=center | 6 January 1932

| align=right | {{age in days|1931|3|3|1932|1|6}} days

align=center | (9)

| Senator Sir George Pearce {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KCVO}}

| rowspan=3 {{Australian party style|UAP}} |

| rowspan=3 | United
Australia

| rowspan=5 | Lyons

| align=center | 6 January 1932

| align=center | 12 October 1934

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1932|1|6|1934|10|12}}

align=center | 19

| Sir Archdale Parkhill {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KCMG|MP}}

| align=center | 12 October 1934

| align=center align=center | 20 November 1937

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1934|10|12|1937|11|20}}

align=center | 20

| Joseph Lyons {{post-nominals|country=AUS|CH|MP}}

| align=center align=center | 20 November 1937

| align=center align=center | 29 November 1937

| align=right | {{age in days|1937|11|20|1937|11|29}} days

align=center align=center | 21

| Harold Thorby {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|National}} |

| Country

| align=center align=center | 29 November 1937

| align=center | 7 November 1938

| align=right | {{age in days|1937|11|29|1938|11|7}} days

rowspan=3 align=center align=center | 22

| rowspan=3 | Geoffrey Street {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MC|MP}}

| rowspan=5 {{Australian party style|UAP}} |

| rowspan=5 | United
Australia

| align=center | 7 November 1938

| align=center | 7 April 1939

| rowspan=3 align=right | {{age in years and days|1938|11|7|1939|11|13}}

Page

| align=center | 7 April 1939

| align=center align=center | 26 April 1939

rowspan=2 | Menzies

| align=center align=center | 26 April 1939

| align=center | 13 November 1939

rowspan=2 align=center align=center | 23

| rowspan=2 | Robert Menzies {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}{{#tag:ref|On 13 November 1939, early in the Second World War, Menzies divided the Defence portfolio into separate Army, Navy and Air portfolios and appointed himself Minister for Defence Coordination to oversee them. Curtin retained this arrangement, but he reverted to the title Minister for Defence on 21 September 1943.|group=n|name=DefenceCoordination}}

| align=center | 13 November 1939

| align=center align=center | 29 August 1941

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and days|1939|11|13|1941|10|7}}

Fadden

| align=center align=center | 29 August 1941

| align=center | 7 October 1941

align=center align=center | 24

| John Curtin {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=5 {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| rowspan=5| Labor

| Curtin

| align=center | 7 October 1941

| align=center | 6 July 1945

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1941|10|7|1945|7|6}}

rowspan=2 align=center align=center | 25

| rowspan=2 | Jack Beasley {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| Forde

| align=center | 6 July 1945

| align=center | 13 July 1945

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and days|1945|7|6|1946|8|14}}

rowspan=3 | Chifley

| align=center | 13 July 1945

| align=center | 14 August 1946

align=center align=center | 26

| Frank Forde {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 15 August 1946

| align=center | 1 November 1946

| align=right | {{age in days|1946|8|14|1946|11|1}} days

align=center align=center | 27

| John Dedman {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 1 November 1946

| align=center | 19 December 1949

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1946|11|1|1949|12|19}}

align=center align=center | 28

| Eric Harrison {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=11 {{Australian party style|Liberal}} |

| rowspan=11 | Liberal

| rowspan=5 | Menzies

| align=center | 19 December 1949

| align=center align=center | 24 October 1950

| align=right | {{age in days|1949|12|19|1950|10|24}} days

align=center align=center | 29

| Sir Philip McBride {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KCMG|MP}}

| align=center align=center | 24 October 1950

| align=center | 10 December 1958

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1950|10|24|1958|12|10}}

align=center align=center | 30

| Athol Townley {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 10 December 1958

| align=center | 18 December 1963

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1958|12|10|1963|12|18}}

align=center | 31

| Paul Hasluck {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 18 December 1963

| align=center align=center | 24 April 1964

| align=right | {{age in days|1963|12|18|1964|4|24}} days

align=center | 32

| Senator Sir Shane Paltridge {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KBE}}

| align=center align=center | 24 April 1964

| align=center | 19 January 1966

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1964|4|24|1966|1|19}}

rowspan=3 align=center | 33

| rowspan=3 | Allen Fairhall {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| Holt

| align=center | 26 January 1966

| align=center | 12 December 1967

| rowspan=3 align=right | {{age in years and days|1966|1|19|1969|11|12}}

McEwen

| align=center | 12 December 1967

| align=center | 10 January 1968

rowspan=2 | Gorton

| align=center | 10 January 1968

| align=center | 12 November 1969

align=center | 34

| Malcolm Fraser {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 12 November 1969

| align=center | 8 March 1971

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1969|11|12|1971|3|8}}

align=center | 35

| John Gorton {{post-nominals|country=AUS|CH|MP}}

| rowspan=2 | McMahon

| align=center | 19 March 1971

| align=center | 13 August 1971

| align=right | {{age in days|1971|3|19|1971|8|13}} days

align=center | 36

| David Fairbairn {{post-nominals|country=AUS|DFC|MP}}

| align=center | 13 August 1971

| align=center | 5 December 1972

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1971|8|13|1972|12|5}}

align=center | 37

| Lance Barnard {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| rowspan=2 | Labor

| rowspan=2 | Whitlam

| align=center | 5 December 1972

| align=center | 6 June 1975

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1972|12|5|1975|6|6}}

align=center | 38

| Bill Morrison {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 6 June 1975

| align=center | 11 November 1975

| align=right | {{age in days|1975|6|6|1975|11|11}} days

align=center | 39

| Sir James Killen {{post-nominals|country=AUS|KCMG|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} |

| Liberal

| rowspan=3 | Fraser

| align=center | 12 November 1975

| align=center | 7 May 1982

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1975|11|12|1982|5|7}}

rowspan=2 align=center | 40

| rowspan=2 | Ian Sinclair {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|National}} |

| National Country

| align=center | 7 May 1982

| align=center | 16 October 1982

|rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in days|1982|5|7|1983|3|11}} days

{{Australian party style|Nationals}}|

| National

| align=center | 16 October 1982

| align=center | 11 March 1983

align=center | 41

| Gordon Scholes {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=4 {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| rowspan=4 | Labor

| rowspan=3 | Hawke

| align=center | 11 March 1983

| align=center | 13 December 1984

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1983|3|11|1984|12|13}}

align=center | 42

| Kim Beazley {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 13 December 1984

| align=center | 4 April 1990

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1984|12|13|1990|4|4}}

rowspan=2 align=center | 43

| rowspan=2 | Senator Robert Ray

| align=center | 4 April 1990

| align=center align=center | 20 December 1991

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and days|1990|4|4|1996|3|11}}

Keating

| align=center align=center | 20 December 1991

| align=center | 11 March 1996

align=center | 44

| Ian McLachlan {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO|MP}}

| rowspan=5 {{Australian party style|Liberal}} |

| rowspan=5 | Liberal

| rowspan=5 | Howard

| align=center | 11 March 1996

| align=center align=center | 21 October 1998

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1996|3|11|1998|10|21}}

align=center | 45

| John Moore {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center align=center | 21 October 1998

| align=center | 30 January 2001

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1998|10|21|2001|1|30}}

align=center | 46

| Peter Reith {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 30 January 2001

| align=center align=center | 26 November 2001

| align=right | {{age in days|2001|1|30|2001|11|26}} days

align=center | 47

| Senator Robert Hill

| align=center align=center | 26 November 2001

| align=center align=center | 20 January 2006

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2001|11|26|2006|1|20}}

align=center | 48

| Brendan Nelson {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center align=center | 20 January 2006

| align=center | 3 December 2007

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2006|1|20|2007|12|3}}

align=center | 49

| Joel Fitzgibbon {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=5 {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| rowspan=5 | Labor

| rowspan=2 | Rudd

| align=center | 3 December 2007

| align=center | 9 June 2009

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2007|12|3|2009|6|9}}

rowspan=2 align=center | 50

| rowspan=2 | Senator John Faulkner

| align=center | 9 June 2009

| align=center align=center | 24 June 2010

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and days|2009|6|9|2010|9|14}}

rowspan=2 | Gillard

| align=center align=center | 24 June 2010

| align=center | 14 September 2010

rowspan=2 align=center | 51

| rowspan=2 | Stephen Smith {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 14 September 2010

| align=center | 27 June 2013

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and days|2010|9|14|2013|9|18}}

Rudd

| align=center | 27 June 2013

| align=center | 18 September 2013

align=center | 52

| Senator David Johnston

| rowspan="8" {{Australian party style|Liberal}} |

| rowspan="8" | Liberal

| rowspan=2 | Abbott

| align=center | 18 September 2013

| align=center | 23 December 2014

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2013|9|18|2014|12|23}}

rowspan=2 align=center | 53

| rowspan=2 | Kevin Andrews {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 23 December 2014

| align=center | 15 September 2015

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and days|2014|12|23|2015|9|21}}

rowspan="2" | Turnbull

| align=center | 15 September 2015

| align="center" | 21 September 2015

rowspan="2" align="center" | 54

| rowspan="2" |Senator Marise Payne

| align=center | 21 September 2015

| align=center | 24 August 2018

| rowspan="2" align="right" |{{age in years and days|2015|9|21|2018|8|28}}

rowspan="4" |Morrison

| align=center | 24 August 2018

| align=center | 28 August 2018

align="center" | 55

| Christopher Pyne {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 28 August 2018

| align=center | 26 May 2019

| align="right" |{{age in years and days|2018|8|28|2019|5|26}}

align="center" | 56

| Senator Linda Reynolds {{post-nominals|country=AUS|CSC}}

| align=center | 29 May 2019

| align=center | 30 March 2021

| align="right" |{{age in years and days|2019|5|29|2021|3|30}}

align="center" | 57

| Peter Dutton {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 30 March 2021

| align=center | 23 May 2022

| align="right" |{{age in years and days|2021|3|30|2022|5|23}}

align="center" | 58

|Richard Marles {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

|{{Australian party style|Labor}}|

|Labor

|Albanese

|align=center |1 June 2022

|align=center |Incumbent

|align="right" |{{age in years and days|2022|06|01}}

List of assistant ministers for defence

The following individuals have been appointed as Assistant Minister for Defence, or any of its precedent titles:

class="wikitable"

! width=5 | Order

! width=150 | Minister

! width=125 colspan=2 | Party

! width=75 | Prime Minister

! width=325 | Title

! width=150 | Term start

! width=150 | Term end

! width=130 | Term in office

align=center| 1

| Granville Ryrie {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}{{#tag:ref|The Parliamentary Handbook erroneously records that Ryrie ceased to be Assistant Minister for Defence, being replaced by Massy-Greene. In fact, Massy-Greene was appointed Minister for Defence, and Ryrie remained in post.{{cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20521009 |title=Federal Reshuffle |work=The Brisbane Courier |page=3 |date=23 December 1921 |access-date=25 September 2013}}|group=n}}

| {{Australian party style|Nationalist}}|

| Nationalist

| Hughes

| Assistant Minister for Defence

| align=center | {{start date|df=yes|1920|2|4}}

| align=center | {{end date|df=yes|1923|2|5}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1920|2|4|1923|2|5}}

colspan=9 style="background: #cccccc;" |
align=center| 2

| Josiah Francis

| {{Australian party style|UAP}}|

| United Australia

| Lyons

| Assistant Minister for Defence

| align=center | {{start date|df=yes|1932|1|6}}

| align=center | {{end date|df=yes|1934|10|12}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1932|1|6|1934|10|12}}

colspan=9 style="background: #cccccc;" |
align=center | 3

| Reg Bishop

| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|

| Labor

| Whitlam

| Minister assisting the Minister for Defence

| align=center | 19 December 1972

| align=center | 12 June 1974

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1972|12|19|1974|6|12}}

colspan=9 style="background: #cccccc;" |
align=center| 4

| John McLeay

| rowspan="2" {{Australian party style|Liberal}} |

| rowspan=2 |Liberal

| rowspan=2 |Fraser

| rowspan=2 |Minister assisting the Minister for Defence

| align=center | 22 December 1975

| align=center | 3 November 1980

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1975|12|22|1980|11|3}}

align=center| 5

| Kevin Newman

| align=center | 3 November 1980

| align=center | 7 May 1982

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1980|11|3|1982|5|7}}

colspan=9 style="background: #cccccc;" |
align=center| 6

| Bruce Scott

| {{Australian party style|Nationals}}|

| National

| rowspan=6 |Howard

| rowspan=6 |Minister assisting the Minister for Defence

| align=center | 21 October 1998

| align=center | 26 November 2001

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1998|10|21|2001|11|26}}

align=center| 7

| Danna Vale

| rowspan="3" {{Australian party style|Liberal}} |

| rowspan=3 | Liberal

| align=center | 26 November 2001

| align=center | 7 October 2003

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2001|11|26|2003|10|7}}

align=center| 8

| Mal Brough

| align=center | 7 October 2003

| align=center | 18 July 2004

| align=right | {{age in days|2003|10|7|2004|7|18}} days

align=center| 9

| Fran Bailey

| align=center | 18 July 2004

| align=center | 22 October 2004

| align=right | {{age in days|2003|10|7|2004|7|18}} days

align=center| 10

| De-Anne Kelly

| {{Australian party style|Nationals}}|

| National

| align=center | 22 October 2004

| align=center | 27 January 2006

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2004|10|22|2006|1|27}}

align=center| 11

| Bruce Billson

| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|

| Liberal

| align=center | 27 January 2006

| align=center | 3 December 2007

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2006|1|27|2007|12|3}}

colspan=9 style="background: #cccccc;" |
rowspan="2" align=center| 12

| rowspan="2" | Stuart Robert

| rowspan="2" {{Australian party style|Liberal}}| 

| rowspan="2" | Liberal

| Abbott

| rowspan=4 | Assistant Minister for Defence

| align=center | {{start date|df=yes|2013|09|18}}

| align=center | {{end date|df=yes|2015|09|15}}

| rowspan="2" align=right | {{age in years and days|2013|09|18|2015|09|21

}

|-

| rowspan=3 | Turnbull

| align=center | {{end date|df=yes|2015|09|15}}

| align=center | {{end date|df=yes|2015|09|21}}

|-

| align=center| 13

| Darren Chester

| rowspan="2" {{Australian party style|National}} |

| rowspan=2 | National

| align=center | {{start date|df=yes|2015|09|21}}

| align=center | {{end date|df=yes|2016|02|18}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2015|09|21|2016|02|18}}

|-

| align=center| 14

| Michael McCormack

| align=center | {{start date|df=yes|2016|2|18}}

| align=center | {{end date|df=yes|2016|7|19}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2016|02|18|2016|7|19}}

|-

!colspan=9 style="background: #cccccc;" |

|-

| align=center| 15

| David Fawcett

| rowspan="3" {{Australian party style|Liberal}} |

| rowspan=3| Liberal

| rowspan=3| Morrison

| rowspan=4| Assistant Minister for Defence

| align=center | {{start date|df=yes|2018|8|26}}

| align=center | {{end date|df=yes|2019|5|29}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2018|8|26|2019|5|29}}

|-

| align=center| 16

| Alex Hawke

| align=center | {{start date|df=yes|2019|5|29}}

| align=center | {{end date|df=yes|2020|12|22}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2019|5|29|2020|12|22}}

|-

| align=center| 16

| Andrew Hastie

| align=center | {{start date|df=yes|2020|12|22}}

| align=center | {{end date|df=yes|2022|05|23}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2020|12|22|2022|05|23}}

|-

|align=center|17

| Matt Thistlethwaite

| {{Australian party style|Labor}}| 

|Labor

|Albanese

|align=center | {{start date|df=yes|2022|06|01}}

|align=center | Incumbent

|align=right | {{age in years and days|2022|06|01}}

|}

Individual service branch ministers

=Ministers for the Navy=

The following served as Minister for the Navy:

class=wikitable

! width=5 | Order

! width=200 | Minister

! width=100 colspan=2 | Party

! width=75 | Prime Minister

! width=120 | Term start

! width=120 | Term end

! width=130 | Term in office

rowspan=3 align=center | 1

| rowspan=3 | Jens Jensen {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|Labor}} |  

| rowspan=2 | Labor

| Fisher

| align=center | 12 July 1915

| align=center | 27 October 1915

| rowspan=3 align=right | {{age in years and days|1915|7|12|1917|2|17}}

rowspan=5 | Hughes

| align=center | 27 October 1915

| align=center | 14 November 1916

{{Australian party style|National Labor}} |

| National Labor

| align=center | 14 November 1916

| align=center | 17 February 1917

rowspan=2 align=center | 2

| rowspan=2 | Joseph Cook {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|Commonwealth Liberal}} |

| Commonwealth
Liberal

| align=center | 17 February 1917

| align=center | 13 June 1917

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and days|1917|2|17|1920|7|28}}

rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|Nationalist}} |

| rowspan=2 | Nationalist

| align=center | 13 June 1917

| align=center | 28 July 1920

align=center | 3

| William Laird Smith {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 28 July 1920

| align=center | 21 December 1921

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1920|7|28|1921|12|21}}

colspan=8 style="background:#cccccc;" |
align=center | 4

| Frederick Stewart {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=1 {{Australian party style|UAP}} |

| rowspan=1 | United
Australia

| rowspan=3 | Menzies

| align=center | 13 November 1939

| align=center | 14 March 1940

| align=right | {{age in days|1939|11|13|1940|3|14}} days

align=center | 5

| Archie Cameron {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=1 {{Australian party style|National}} |

| rowspan=1 | Country

| align=center | 14 March 1940

| align=center | 28 October 1940

| align=right | {{age in days|1940|3|14|1940|10|28}} days

rowspan=2 align=center | 6

| rowspan=2 | Billy Hughes {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|UAP}} |

| rowspan=2 | United
Australia

| align=center | 28 October 1940

| align=center | 29 August 1941

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in days|1940|10|28|1941|10|7}} days

Fadden

| align=center | 29 August 1941

| align=center | 7 October 1941

rowspan=3 align=center | 7

| rowspan=3 | Norman Makin {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=5 {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| rowspan=5 | Labor

| Curtin

| align=center | 7 October 1941

| align=center | 6 July 1945

| rowspan=3 align=right | {{age in years and days|1941|10|7|1946|8|15}}

Forde

| align=center | 6 July 1945

| align=center | 13 July 1945

rowspan=3 | Chifley

| align=center | 13 July 1945

| align=center | 15 August 1946

align=center | 8

| Arthur Drakeford {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 15 August 1946

| align=center | 1 November 1946

| align=right | {{age in days|1946|8|15|1946|11|1}} days

align=center | 9

| Bill Riordan {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 1 November 1946

| align=center | 19 December 1949

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1946|11|1|1949|12|19}}

align=center | 10

| Josiah Francis {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=6 {{Australian party style|Liberal}} |

| rowspan=6 | Liberal

| rowspan=10 | Menzies

| align=center | 19 December 1949

| align=center | 11 May 1951

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1949|12|19|1951|5|11}}

align=center | 11

| Philip McBride {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 11 May 1951

| align=center | 17 July 1951

| align=right | {{age in days|1951|5|11|1951|7|17}} days

align=center | 12

| William McMahon {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 17 July 1951

| align=center | 9 July 1954

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1951|7|17|1954|7|9}}

(10)

| Josiah Francis {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 9 July 1954

| align=center | 11 July 1955

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1954|7|9|1955|7|11}}

align=center | 13

| Eric Harrison {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 11 July 1955

| align=center | 11 January 1956

| align=right | {{age in days|1955|7|11|1956|1|11}} days

align=center | 14

| Senator Neil O'Sullivan

| align=center | 11 January 1956

| align=center | 24 October 1956

| align=right | {{age in days|1956|1|11|1956|10|24}} days

align=center | 15

| Charles Davidson {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|National}} |

| Country

| align=center | 24 October 1956

| align=center | 10 December 1958

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1956|10|24|1958|12|10}}

align=center | 16

| Senator John Gorton

| rowspan=11 {{Australian party style|Liberal}} |

| rowspan=11 | Liberal

| align=center | 10 December 1958

| align=center | 18 December 1963

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1958|12|10|1963|12|18}}

align=center | 17

| Jim Forbes {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 18 December 1963

| align=center | 4 March 1964

| align=right | {{age in days|1963|12|18|1964|3|4}} days

rowspan=2 align=center | 18

| rowspan=2 | Fred Chaney, Sr. {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 4 March 1964

| align=center | 26 January 1966

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and days|1964|3|4|1966|12|14}}

rowspan=2 | Holt

| align=center | 26 January 1966

| align=center | 14 December 1966

rowspan=3 align=center | 19

| rowspan=3 | Don Chipp {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 14 December 1966

| align=center | 19 December 1967

| rowspan=3 align=right | {{age in years and days|1966|12|14|1968|2|28}}

McEwen

| align=center | 19 December 1967

| align=center | 10 January 1968

rowspan=3 | Gorton

| align=center | 10 January 1968

| align=center | 28 February 1968

align=center | 20

| Bert Kelly {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 28 February 1968

| align=center | 12 November 1969

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1968|2|28|1969|11|12}}

rowspan=2 align=center | 21

| rowspan=2 | James Killen {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 12 November 1969

| align=center | 10 March 1971

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and days|1969|11|12|1971|3|22}}

rowspan=2 | McMahon

| align=center | 10 March 1971

| align=center | 22 March 1971

align=center | 22

| Malcolm Mackay {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 22 March 1971

| align=center | 5 December 1972

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1971|3|22|1972|12|5}}

align=center | 23

| Lance Barnard {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| Labor

| Whitlam

| align=center | 5 December 1972

| align=center | 30 November 1973

| align=right | {{age in days|1972|12|5|1973|11|30}} days

=Ministers for the Army=

The following served as Minister for the Army:

class="wikitable"

! width=5 | Order

! width=200 | Minister

! width=70 colspan=2 | Party

! width=75 | Prime Minister

! width=120 | Term start

! width=120 | Term end

! width=130 | Term in office

align=center | 1

| Geoffrey Street {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=3 {{Australian party style|UAP}} |  

| rowspan=3 | United
Australia

| rowspan=2 | Menzies

| align=center | 13 November 1939

| align=center | 28 October 1940

| align=right | {{age in days|1939|11|13|1940|10|28}} days

rowspan=2 align=center | 2

| rowspan=2 | Senator Percy Spender

| align=center | 28 October 1940

| align=center | 29 August 1941

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in days|1940|10|28|1941|10|7}} days

Fadden

| align=center | 29 August 1941

| align=center | 7 October 1941

rowspan=3 align=center | 3

| rowspan=3 | Frank Forde {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=4 {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| rowspan=4 | Labor

| Curtin

| align=center | 7 October 1941

| align=center | 6 July 1945

| rowspan=3 align=right | {{age in years and days|1941|10|7|1946|11|1}}

Forde

| align=center | 6 July 1945

| align=center | 13 July 1945

rowspan=2 | Chifley

| align=center | 13 July 1945

| align=center | 1 November 1946

align=center | 4

| Cyril Chambers {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 1 November 1946

| align=center | 19 December 1949

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1946|11|1|1949|12|19}}

align=center | 5

| Josiah Francis {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=10 {{Australian party style|Liberal}} |

| rowspan=10 | Liberal

| rowspan=4 | Menzies

| align=center | 19 December 1949

| align=center | 7 November 1955

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1949|12|19|1955|11|7}}

align=center | 6

| Eric Harrison {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 7 November 1955

| align=center | 28 February 1956

| align=right | {{age in days|1955|11|7|1956|2|28}} days

align=center | 7

| John Cramer {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 28 February 1956

| align=center | 18 December 1963

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1956|2|28|1963|12|18}}

align=center | 8

| Jim Forbes {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 18 December 1963

| align=center | 26 January 1966

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1963|12|18|1966|1|26}}

rowspan=3 align=center | 9

| rowspan=3 | Malcolm Fraser {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| Holt

| align=center | 26 January 1966

| align=center | 19 December 1967

| rowspan=3 align=right | {{age in years and days|1966|1|26|1968|2|28}}

McEwen

| align=center | 19 December 1967

| align=center | 10 January 1968

rowspan=3 | Gorton

| align=center | 10 January 1968

| align=center | 28 February 1968

align=center | 10

| Phillip Lynch {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 28 February 1968

| align=center | 12 November 1969

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1968|2|28|1969|11|12}}

rowspan=2 align=center | 11

| rowspan=2 | Andrew Peacock {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 12 November 1969

| align=center | 10 March 1971

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and days|1969|11|12|1972|2|2}}

rowspan=2 | McMahon

| align=center | 10 March 1971

| align=center | 2 February 1972

align=center | 12

| Bob Katter, Sr. {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|National}} |

| Country

| align=center | 2 February 1972

| align=center | 5 December 1972

| align=right | {{age in days|1972|2|2|1972|12|7}} days

align=center | 13

| Lance Barnard {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| Labor

| Whitlam

| align=center | 5 December 1972

| align=center | 30 November 1973

| align=right | {{age in days|1972|12|5|1973|11|30}} days

=Ministers for Air=

The following served as Minister for Air:

class="wikitable"

! width=5 | Order

! width=200 | Minister

! width=70 colspan=2 | Party

! width=75 | Prime Minister

! width=120 | Term start

! width=120 | Term end

! width=130 | Term in office

align=center | 1

| James Fairbairn {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|UAP}} |  

| United
Australia

| rowspan=3 | Menzies

| align=center | 13 November 1939

| align=center | 13 August 1940

| align=right | {{age in days|1939|11|13|1940|8|13}} days

align=center | 2

| Arthur Fadden {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=3 {{Australian party style|National}} |

| rowspan=3 | Country

| align=center | 14 August 1940

| align=center | 28 October 1940

| align=right | {{age in days|1940|8|14|1940|10|28}} days

rowspan=2 align=center | 3

| rowspan=2 | John McEwen {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 28 October 1940

| align=center | 29 August 1941

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in days|1940|10|28|1941|10|7}} days

Fadden

| align=center | 29 August 1941

| align=center | 7 October 1941

rowspan=3 align=center | 4

| rowspan=3 | Arthur Drakeford {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=3 {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| rowspan=3 | Labor

| Curtin

| align=center | 7 October 1941

| align=center | 6 July 1945

| rowspan=3 align=right | {{age in years and days|1941|10|7|1949|12|19}}

Forde

| align=center | 6 July 1945

| align=center | 13 July 1945

Chifley

| align=center | 13 July 1945

| align=center | 19 December 1949

align=center | 5

| Thomas White {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| rowspan=14 {{Australian party style|Liberal}} |

| rowspan=14 | Liberal

| rowspan=9 | Menzies

| align=center | 19 December 1949

| align=center | 11 May 1951

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1949|12|19|1951|5|11}}

align=center | 6

| Philip McBride {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 11 May 1951

| align=center | 17 July 1951

| align=right | {{age in days|1951|5|11|1951|7|17}} days

align=center | 7

| William McMahon {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 17 July 1951

| align=center | 9 July 1954

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1951|7|17|1954|7|9}}

align=center | 8

| Athol Townley {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 9 July 1954

| align=center | 24 October 1956

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1954|7|9|1956|10|24}}

align=center | 9

| Frederick Osborne {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 24 October 1956

| align=center | 29 December 1960

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1956|10|24|1960|12|29}}

align=center | 10

| Senator Harrie Wade

| align=center | 29 December 1960

| align=center | 22 December 1961

| align=right | {{age in days|1960|12|29|1961|12|22}} days

align=center | 11

| Les Bury {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 22 December 1961

| align=center | 27 July 1962

| align=right | {{age in days|1961|12|22|1962|7|27}} days

align=center | 12

| David Fairbairn {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 27 July 1962

| align=center | 10 June 1964

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1962|7|27|1964|6|10}}

rowspan=4 align=center | 13

| rowspan=4 | Peter Howson {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 10 June 1964

| align=center | 26 January 1966

| rowspan=4 align=right | {{age in years and days|1964|6|10|1968|2|28}}

Holt

| align=center | 26 January 1966

| align=center | 19 December 1967

McEwen

| align=center | 19 December 1967

| align=center | 10 January 1968

rowspan=4 | Gorton

| align=center | 10 January 1968

| align=center | 28 February 1968

align=center | 14

| Gordon Freeth {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 28 February 1968

| align=center | 13 February 1969

| align=right | {{age in days|1968|2|28|1969|2|13}} days

align=center | 15

| Dudley Erwin {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| align=center | 13 February 1969

| align=center | 12 November 1969

| align=right | {{age in days|1969|2|13|1969|11|12}} days

rowspan=2 align=center | 16

| rowspan=2 | Senator Tom Drake-Brockman

| rowspan=2 {{Australian party style|National}} |

| rowspan=2 | Country

| align=center | 12 November 1969

| align=center | 10 March 1971

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and days|1969|11|12|1972|12|5}}

McMahon

| align=center | 10 March 1971

| align=center | 5 December 1972

align=center | 17

| Lance Barnard {{post-nominals|country=AUS|MP}}

| {{Australian party style|Labor}} |

| Labor

| Whitlam

| align=center | 5 December 1972

| align=center | 30 November 1973

| align=right | {{age in days|1972|12|5|1973|11|30}} days

See also

{{stack|{{portal|Australia|Politics}}}}

Notes

{{reflist|group=n}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category|Ministers of Defence of Australia}}

  • {{Official website|https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/current-ministers/2022-06/richard-marles}}

{{Australian federal ministerial portfolios}}

Defence

Category:Military of Australia