Richard Marles

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

| name = Richard Marles

| honorific-suffix = MP

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

| image_size =

| caption = Marles in 2024

| office = Deputy Prime Minister of Australia

| primeminister = Anthony Albanese

| predecessor = Barnaby Joyce

| term_start = 23 May 2022

| office1 = Minister for Defence

| term_start1 = 1 June 2022

| term_end1 =

| primeminister1 = Anthony Albanese

| predecessor1 = Peter Dutton

| office3 = Deputy Leader of the Labor Party

| term_start3 = 30 May 2019

| term_end3 =

| leader3 = Anthony Albanese

| predecessor3 = Tanya Plibersek

| office4 = Deputy Leader of the Opposition

| term_start4 = 30 May 2019

| term_end4 = 23 May 2022

| leader4 = Anthony Albanese

| predecessor4 = Tanya Plibersek

| successor4 = Sussan Ley

| office5 = Minister for Trade

| term_start5 = 27 June 2013

| term_end5 = 18 September 2013

| primeminister5 = Kevin Rudd

| predecessor5 = Craig Emerson

| successor5 = Andrew Robb

| office6 = Member of the House of Representatives for Corio

| term_start6 = 24 November 2007

| term_end6 =

| predecessor6 = Gavan O'Connor

| successor6 =

| birth_name = Richard Donald Marles

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1967|07|13}}

| birth_place = Geelong, Victoria, Australia

| death_date =

| nationality = Australian

| party = Labor

| spouse = Rachel Schutze
Lisa Neville

| partner =

| children = 4

| parents = Donald Marles
Fay Marles

| residence = East Geelong, Victoria, Australia

| education = Geelong Grammar School

| alma_mater = Melbourne University {{small|(BSc, LLB)}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Lawyer|unionist|politician}}

| salary =

| signature =

| signature_size =

| website = {{URL|https://richardmarles.com.au}}

}}

Richard Donald Marles (born 13 July 1967) is an Australian politician and lawyer serving as the 19th and current deputy prime minister of Australia and the minister for Defence since May 2022. He has been the deputy leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) since 2019, and has served as a member of Parliament for the Victorian division of Corio since 2007.

Marles grew up in Geelong, Victoria, and is a lawyer by profession. He was assistant secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions from 2000 to 2007. He was elected to the House of Representatives at the 2007 federal election, after defeating incumbent Labor MP Gavan O'Connor for preselection in the seat of Corio. Marles was made a parliamentary secretary in 2009 and briefly served as Minister for Trade in 2013, having supported Kevin Rudd's return as prime minister. He was appointed to shadow cabinet after the ALP's defeat at the 2013 election and became a senior figure in the Labor Right faction. Marles was elected deputy leader to Anthony Albanese after the 2019 election, becoming deputy opposition leader. He became deputy prime minister following the ALP's victory at the 2022 election.

Early life

Marles was born on 13 July 1967 in Geelong, Victoria. He is the son of Donald Marles,[https://www.trinity.vic.edu.au/news/vale-don-marles-oam/ Vale Don Marles OAM] Retrieved 13 July 2022. a former headmaster of Trinity Grammar School, and Fay Marles ({{née|Pearce}}), Victoria's first Equal Opportunity Commissioner and later Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.{{cite news|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/first-grieve-then-learn-from-election-mistakes/news-story/7c59ff5131648364b78b349b929c1c15|title=First grieve, then learn from election mistakes|newspaper=The Weekend Australian|date=29 June 2019|access-date=22 December 2019|first=Troy|last=Bramston}}

Marles was educated at Geelong Grammar School and the University of Melbourne where he resided at Ormond College. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws with Honours. He joined the Melbourne University Labor Club in his first week at university and served as president of the Melbourne University Student Union in 1988.{{Cite web |date=2010-10-01 |title=Crikey List: which MPs were involved in student politics? |url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2010/10/01/crikey-list-which-mps-were-involved-in-student-politics/ |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=Crikey}} He was also the General Secretary of the National Union of Students in 1989. He started his career as a solicitor with Melbourne industrial law firm Slater and Gordon. In 1994, he became legal officer for the Transport Workers Union (TWU). He was elected TWU National Assistant Secretary four years later. In 2000 he joined Australia's peak national union body, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, as assistant secretary, remaining in the position until 2007.

Politics

File:Hillary Rodham Clinton, Murray McCully and Richard Marles, August 31, 2012.jpg and New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully]]

=Early career=

In March 2006, Marles nominated for Labor preselection against the sitting member for Corio, Gavan O'Connor, as part of a challenge to several sitting members organised by the right-wing Labor Unity faction of the party. In the local ballot Marles polled 57% of the vote, and his endorsement was then confirmed by the party's public office selection committee.{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/two-more-fall-in-faction-battles/2006/03/10/1141701659360.html |title=Two more fall in faction battles |work=The Age |access-date=9 March 2008 |location=Melbourne |date=10 March 2006 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22610705-2862,00.html |title=Gavan O'Connor targets Labor party |work=Herald Sun |access-date=9 March 2008 |last=McManus |first=Gerard |date=19 October 2007}}

Marles was elected member for Corio on 24 November 2007 in the election that returned the Labor Party to office under the leadership of Kevin Rudd. From February 2008 to June 2009 he was chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.

=Parliamentary secretary and Minister for Trade=

File:Richard Marles.jpg photograph of Marles]]

In June 2009 Marles was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry. He retained his seat in the 2010 election and was sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs in the First Gillard Ministry on 14 September 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/43/ministry/ministry.htm |title=Department of the Parliamentary Library - Ministry |access-date=21 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922052909/http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/43/ministry/ministry.htm |archive-date=22 September 2010 }} In July 2011, Marles became the first Australian member of parliament to visit Wallis and Futuna.{{cite news|title=Australia reaffirms cooperation with France in Pacific |url=http://en.tahitipresse.pf/2011/08/australia-reaffirms-cooperation-with-france-in-pacific/ |work=Tahitipresse |date=1 August 2011 |access-date=31 December 2011 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918131226/http://en.tahitipresse.pf/2011/08/australia-reaffirms-cooperation-with-france-in-pacific/ |archive-date=18 September 2011 }} Marles arrived in Wallis and Futuna to attend a ceremony with King Kapiliele Faupala in Mata-Utu marking the 50th anniversary of the islands' status as a French Overseas collectivity. Marles had previously visited New Caledonia in October 2010 and French Polynesia in March 2011.

In the ministerial reshuffle of 2 March 2012, Marles was given the additional role of Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs.{{cite press release|url=http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/changes-ministry-0 |date=2 March 2012 |access-date=18 March 2012 |author=Gillard, Julia |author-link=Julia Gillard |title=Changes to the Ministry |publisher=Prime Minister of Australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316203911/http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/changes-ministry-0 |archive-date=16 March 2012 }} On 21 March 2013 he resigned these roles after expressing support for Kevin Rudd to challenge Julia Gillard for the leadership; a challenge that did not eventuate.{{cite news |url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2013/03/22/361534_news.html |title=Corio MP backs the wrong side |author=Best, Cameron |date=22 March 2013 |access-date=8 July 2013 |work=Geelong Advertiser }}

In June 2013, he was appointed the Minister for Trade and a member of the Cabinet,{{cite web |url=http://www.dpmc.gov.au/parliamentary/docs/ministry_list_20130703.pdf |title=Second Rudd Ministry |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |date=3 July 2013 |access-date=6 July 2013 |work=Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet }} succeeding Craig Emerson, who resigned following the June 2013 leadership spill that saw Kevin Rudd defeat Julia Gillard for leadership of the Labor Party.

=Shadow minister=

After the ALP's defeat at the 2013 federal election, Marles was appointed Shadow Minister for Immigration and Border Protection under opposition leader Bill Shorten.{{cite Au Parliament |mpid=HWQ |name=Hon Richard Marles MP |access-date=2021-11-10}} In February 2016, he began co-hosting the weekly television program Pyne & Marles on Sky News Live with Liberal MP Christopher Pyne.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/television/christopher-pyne--the-tv-star-the-colourful-mp-lands-his-own-weekly-show-alongside-rival-richard-marles/news-story/1e3e12c35fb7c1b57eddfd950939d30b#load-story-comments|title=Christopher Pyne ... the TV star? The colourful MP lands his own weekly show, alongside rival Richard Marles|date=28 January 2016|access-date=28 January 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|first=Shannon|last=Molloy}} Marles had his portfolio changed after the 2016 election, becoming Shadow Minister for Defence. He has been cited as holding pro-U.S. views and as "somewhat of a hawk".{{cite news |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/the-12-labor-figures-who-will-do-the-heavy-lifting-in-government-20181213-h1937u |title=The 12 Labor figures who will do the heavy lifting in government |newspaper=The Australian Financial Review |quote=Marles is very pro-US and a touch hawkish on China |date=14 December 2018 |access-date=22 December 2019}}

=Deputy Leader of the Opposition=

In May 2019, after Labor lost the 2019 federal election, it was reported that Marles would stand for the deputy leadership of the party, and would likely be elected unopposed following Clare O'Neil's decision not to run.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/clare-o-neil-pulls-out-of-labor-deputy-race-paves-way-for-marles-20190526-p51r7h.html|title=Clare O'Neil pulls out of Labor deputy race, paving the way for Richard Marles|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=26 May 2019|access-date=26 May 2019}} He was formally endorsed as deputy to Anthony Albanese on 30 May, and selected the portfolio of Defence in the shadow cabinet.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-30/labor-gender-balance-leadership-wong-albanese/11162718|title=Labor factional boss steps aside to make way for gender balance in Anthony Albanese's ministry|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|date=30 May 2019|access-date=30 May 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-02/labor-party-anthony-albanese-frontbench-shadow-ministry-announce/11171510|title=Labor leader Anthony Albanese announces frontbench in wake of federal election 2019|date=2 June 2019|access-date=2 June 2019}}

Following a shadow cabinet reshuffle in January 2021, Marles was placed in charge of a new "super portfolio" relating to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/28/labor-reshuffle-anthony-albanese-elevates-richard-marles-to-new-super-portfolio|title=Labor reshuffle: Anthony Albanese elevates Richard Marles to new super portfolio|work=The Guardian Australia|first=Katharine|last=Murphy|date=28 January 2021|access-date=28 January 2021}} encompassing a "broad brief across national reconstruction, jobs, skills, small business and science".{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-28/labor-mark-butler-albanese-joel-fitzgibbon-climate-change/13097682|title=Labor set for climate change shift as architect of emissions target Mark Butler is moved on|first=Jack|last=Snape|date=28 January 2021|access-date=28 January 2021|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia}}

=Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister=

Two days after the 2022 federal election, Albanese had himself, Marles and three other senior Labor frontbenchers sworn in as an interim five-person government. Although counting was still underway, it was apparent by this time that no other party could realistically form even a minority government. The transfer of power was expedited due to the upcoming Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, with the full ministry due to be sworn in after the Quad. As Albanese flew to Tokyo to take part in the Quad soon after being sworn in, Marles served as Acting Prime Minister until Albanese returned to lead the nation full-time. He continues to return to the role whenever Albanese leaves the country.{{Cite news |date=2022-05-21 |title=Five Labor MPs to be immediately sworn in first ahead of key Quad trip |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/anthony-albanese-penny-wong-richard-marles-jim-chalmers-katy-gallagher-to-be-sworn-in-first-ahead-of-quad-meeting/news-story/002bf7e9acc07ede11353d4202c0081a |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=Sky News}}

On 1 June 2022, Marles was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence.{{Cite web |title=Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveils his new cabinet |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/anthony-albanese-caucus-meeting-parliament-new-prime-minister-pledges/90bddf98-ecda-47e3-82c9-3bac8cc3d014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729031541/https://www.9news.com.au/national/anthony-albanese-caucus-meeting-parliament-new-prime-minister-pledges/90bddf98-ecda-47e3-82c9-3bac8cc3d014 |archive-date=29 July 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=31 May 2022 |work=Nine News |date=31 May 2022 |first1=Nick |last1=Pearson |first2=Emily |last2=Bennett}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-01/federal-election-live-labor-anthony-albanese/101115548|title=Federal election: New Labor ministry sworn in as vote counting winds down — as it happened|work=ABC News|date=1 June 2022|first1=Shiloh|last1=Payne|first2=Jessica|last2=Riga|access-date=1 June 2022|archive-date=29 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729032014/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-01/federal-election-live-labor-anthony-albanese/101115548|url-status=live}}

In August 2023, News.com.au reported that the cost of Marles' VIP flights since the 2022 federal election was $3.6 million. Marles refused to give passenger or destination details for his VIP flights, citing security concerns. Since the Defence Department blocked access to information about Marles' VIP flights, the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority cannot ask Marles' office to repay the cost of carrying electorate staff and family members on the flights.{{cite web |last1=Maiden |first1=Samantha |title='Cover up': Defence Department fails to hand over VIP flight details for two years |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/cover-up-defence-department-fails-to-hand-over-vip-flight-details-for-two-years/news-story/69ff82a1c571e135de074c4e1401f325 |publisher=News.com.au |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=12 September 2023}}

On 28 September 2023, Marles confirmed that 500 Australian troops would be relocated to Townsville over the course of six years from 2025 to strengthen the Australian Army's ability to conduct operations missions in the Pacific.{{cite news |last=Greene |first=Andrew |date=28 September 2023 |title=Townsville emerges as new 'capital' of Army in Defence Force shake up |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-28/townsville-biggest-winner-of-defence-force-shake-up/102909694 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929173224/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-28/townsville-biggest-winner-of-defence-force-shake-up/102909694 |archive-date=29 September 2023 |access-date=30 September 2023 |work=ABC News |location=}} This announcement was criticised by the city's mayor Jenny Hill who claimed that Townsville City Council was not consulted about military personnel's housing.{{cite news |last=Jackson |first=Blair |date=28 September 2023 |title=Townsville mayor blasts Army shake-up over housing crisis |url=https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville/get-your-friggin-act-together-townsville-mayor-blasts-army-shakeup-over-housing-crisis/news-story/9345fe4a73f7b5fdb6857643d7c15c8b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509062001/https://insight.adsrvr.org/track/up?adv=vrges6n&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.townsvillebulletin.com.au%2Fsubscribe%2Fnews%2F1%2F%3FsourceCode%3DTBWEB_WRE170_a%26dest%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.townsvillebulletin.com.au%252Fnews%252Ftownsville%252Fget-your-friggin-act-together-townsville-mayor-blasts-army-shakeup-over-housing-crisis%252Fnews-story%252F9345fe4a73f7b5fdb6857643d7c15c8b%26memtype%3Danonymous%26mode%3Dpremium&upid=0lofzfp&upv=1.1.0 |archive-date=9 May 2024 |access-date=30 September 2023 |work=Townsville Bulletin |location= |quote=They need to show us what the hell their plan is … get your friggin’ act together! We want the troops. We want the economic activity they bring, the population they bring, but we need the support services.}} On 29 September 2023, Marles announced that the Australian Defence Force would retire its fleet of MRH-90 Taipan helicopters following a fatal crash during Exercise Talisman Sabre in July 2023 which killed four military personnel.{{cite news |last=Knott |first=Matthew |date=29 September 2023 |title=Government scrambles to secure US helicopters after retiring Taipan fleet |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/government-scrambles-to-secure-us-helicopters-after-retiring-taipan-fleet-20230929-p5e8ip.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929002837/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/government-scrambles-to-secure-us-helicopters-after-retiring-taipan-fleet-20230929-p5e8ip.html |archive-date=29 September 2023 |access-date=30 September 2023 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=}}

In early February 2024, Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong hosted New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins at a joint bilateral meeting of foreign and defence ministers in Melbourne. Marles confirmed that Australia would send officials to brief their New Zealand counterparts about AUKUS Pillar Two, which would focus on advanced military technology including quantum computing and artificial intelligence. New Zealand is not expected to join AUKUS Pillar One due to its nuclear-free policy. The two governments also agreed to deepen bilateral security and military cooperation.{{cite news |date=1 February 2024 |title=AUKUS: Australian officials to brief New Zealand govt on Pillar Two this year |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/508167/aukus-australian-officials-to-brief-new-zealand-govt-on-pillar-two-this-year |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201102507/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/508167/aukus-australian-officials-to-brief-new-zealand-govt-on-pillar-two-this-year |archive-date=1 February 2024 |access-date=2 February 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand}}{{cite news |last1=Corlett |first1=Eva |date=2 February 2024 |title=New Zealand steps up interest in Aukus as Pacific security concerns grow |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/02/new-zealand-aukus-alliance-membership |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202020946/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/02/new-zealand-aukus-alliance-membership |archive-date=2 February 2024 |access-date=2 February 2024 |work=The Guardian}}

On 6 May 2024, Marles denounced an incident in which a Chinese J-10 fighter jet dropped flares in close proximity to an Australian MH60R Seahawk helicopter.{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Lewis |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Australia denounces China over 'unsafe' aerial confrontation |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-criticizes-china-over-unsafe-aerial-confrontation-over-yellow-sea-2024-05-06/ |access-date=May 6, 2024 |work=Reuters}} The helicopter had been operating off {{HMAS|Hobart|DDG 39|6}} in international waters in the Yellow Sea while enforcing United Nations-mandated sanctions against North Korea.{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Josh |date=2024-05-06 |title=Canberra accuses Chinese fighter jet of dropping flares dangerously close to Australian helicopter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/may/06/canberra-accuses-chinese-fighter-jet-of-dropping-flares-dangerously-close-to-australian-helicopter |access-date=2024-05-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |last=Hurst |first=Daniel |date=2024-07-10 |title=Chinese navy destroyer and helicopter shadowed Australian warship during high-profile standoff, documents show |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jul/11/chinese-navy-destroyer-and-helicopter-shadowed-australian-warship-during-high-profile-standoff-documents-show |access-date=2024-07-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

On 19 June 2024, Marles, Wong and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy attended the 30th Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby.{{cite news|last=Wood|first=Richard|date=19 June 2024|title=Australia's focus moves to Pacific as China premier ends visit|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/australian-ministers-visit-papua-new-guinea-for-trade-and-security-talks/49a03e98-95f1-41ff-9c2d-94ed05513b6c|work=Nine News|access-date=22 June 2024}} During the visit, Marles acknowledged the 2024 Enga landslide that occurred in late May 2024 and confirmed that the Australian delegation would travel there. The Albanese government also confirmed plans to sign a bilateral security agreement with Papua New Guinea.{{cite news|last=Faa|first=Martin|date=19 June 2024|title=Australia announces new initiatives to help improve PNG's internal security, law and justice as part of major bilateral security agreement|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-19/australia-announces-initiatives-to-improve-png-internal-security/103990486|work=ABC News|access-date=22 June 2024}}

On 11 July 2024, Marles announced that Australia would provide Ukraine with $250 million in military assistance, the largest single military package from Australia to Ukraine since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.{{Cite news|last1=Bahr |first1=Jessica |title=Australia announces additional support for Ukraine as Russian bombardment continues |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australia-announces-additional-support-for-ukraine-as-russian-bombardment-continues/b0jpqmril |access-date=16 August 2024 |date=11 July 2024 |work=SBS News |language=en}}

On 12 September 2024, Marles stripped nine commanding officers who served in the War in Afghanistan of their distinguished service medals, implementing the final recommendation of the Brereton Report which had found "credible evidence" that Australian soldiers had unlawfully killed 39 people.{{cite news |last=Turnbull |first=Tiffanie |date=12 September 2024 |title=Australia strips officers' medals for war crimes culture |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87g7gpggjgo |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=BBC News}}

On 20 February 2025, Marles and his New Zealand counterpart Collins confirmed that the Australian and New Zealand militaries were monitoring three Chinese warships that were sailing through Australia's exclusive economic zone near Sydney.{{cite news |last1=McQuirk |first1=Rod |title=The Australian and New Zealand militaries are monitoring 3 Chinese warships off Australia |url=https://apnews.com/article/australia-chinese-warships-new-zealand-ea78c3f1d49f444a6808719547e5fda7 |access-date=21 February 2025 |agency=Associated Press |date=20 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220043807/https://apnews.com/article/australia-chinese-warships-new-zealand-ea78c3f1d49f444a6808719547e5fda7 |archive-date=20 February 2025}} After the Chinese warships commenced live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea, Marles criticised the Chinese government for not giving the Australian government prior notice of the first live fire exercise, describing them as "disconcerting for planes that were in the air." Australian civil aviation and defence authorities had only learnt about the exercise ten minutes after initial contact between the Chinese warships and a Virgin Australia pilot nearby.{{cite news |last1=Doherty |first1=Ben |last2=Dumas |first2=Daisy |title=Australian aviation authorities first informed about Chinese live firing drill by Virgin pilot |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/25/australia-china-navy-live-firing-drill-updates-airservices |access-date=29 March 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=25 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250309232223/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/25/australia-china-navy-live-firing-drill-updates-airservices |archive-date=9 March 2025}}{{cite news |title=Prime minister fires back after Opposition attacks his stance on Chinese 'gunboat diplomacy' |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/prime-minister-opposition-attacks-chinese-gunboat-diplomacy/7b0b2zw7y |access-date=29 March 2025 |work=SBS News |agency=Australian Associated Press |date=21 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223132705/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/prime-minister-opposition-attacks-chinese-gunboat-diplomacy/7b0b2zw7y |archive-date=23 February 2025}}

Political positions

Marles is a senior figure in his state's Labor Right faction.

=Refugees and asylum seekers=

Marles supports the turning back of asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat and a Pacific Solution for the resettlement of refugees.{{Cite web|date=2015-07-27|title=The Refugee Question That Richard Marles Couldn't Answer|url=https://newmatilda.com/2015/07/27/refugee-question-richard-marles-couldnt-answer/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=New Matilda}}

Marles was supportive of an Australian War Memorial commemorating Operation Sovereign Borders navy personnel who undertook activities to stop asylum seekers coming to Australia by boat. That position was criticised by several Labor Left MPs as well as the Greens.{{Cite web|date=2018-04-26|title=Richard Marles under attack for support of war memorial display honouring boat turnbacks|url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/26/richard-marles-under-attack-for-support-of-boat-turnbacks-display-at-war-memorial|access-date=2021-11-11|website=The Guardian}}

=National defence=

File:Richard Marles with Lloyd Austin and Yasukazu Hamada 2022 (52397956610).jpg (left) and Japanese Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada (right) in 2022]]

In 2020, as shadow defence minister, Marles was critical of the Morrison government's handling of the programme to purchase French submarines, which, he said, had "profoundly compromised" Australia's national security. Marles otherwise supported the bipartisan consensus on national defence matters.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-05|title=Labor misses opportunity to offer new perspectives on Australia's defence policy|url=https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/labor-misses-opportunity-to-offer-new-perspectives-on-australias-defence-policy/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=The Strategist}}

= Fossil fuels and energy =

On an interview on Sky News on 20 February 2019, Marles stated that it would be "a good thing" if the thermal coal market in Australia collapsed.{{Cite news |title=Collapse of thermal coal market a 'good thing': Marles |date=2019-02-20 |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/collapse-of-thermal-coal-market-a-good-thing-marles/video/1664583c875ba24cb70a6b57331b9ee3|access-date=2021-11-11}} He later back-tracked on this statement, saying that his "attack on coal was tone-deaf".{{Cite news |date=2019-05-27 |title=Richard Marles admits attack on coal was 'tone deaf' |first=Richard |last=Ferguson |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/richard-marles-admits-attack-on-coal-was-tone-deaf/news-story/c38b676fd1b210dab0148c0dbfeb90f6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830060048/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/richard-marles-admits-attack-on-coal-was-tone-deaf/news-story/c38b676fd1b210dab0148c0dbfeb90f6 |archive-date=2021-08-30 |url-status=dead |work=The Australian}}

Following the 2019 Federal Election, Marles maintained that public funds should not be used to subsidise coal, saying "a Labor government is not going to put a cent into subsidising coal-fired power", and the market should be allowed to make its own decisions, while also saying that if a private company decided to push forward with a mine and gained the necessary approvals that Labor would not stand in its way.{{Cite web|date=2020-02-09|title=Labor's Richard Marles won't rule out supporting new coal developments|url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/09/labors-richard-marles-wont-rule-out-supporting-new-coal-developments|access-date=2021-11-11|website=The Guardian}}

Personal life

Marles lives in Geelong with his wife Rachel Schutze. He has three children from his current marriage and one from his first marriage to Lisa Neville, who was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 2002 and later became a state minister.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/richard-marles/10642064|title=Richard Marles|date=20 December 2018|work=Q&A|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=26 May 2019}}

Marles is a supporter and member of the Geelong Football Club.{{cite web | url=https://openpolitics.au/member/zoe-daniel#memberships | title=The private interests of Zoe Daniel MP }}