New Minister for Defence, the Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson MP.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Bruce Billson MP

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon. Sandy Macdonald 

The appointment of Dr Brendan Nelson MP as the new Minister for Defence follows the resignation of Senator Robert Hill from the portfolio.

The new Minister for Defence was elected to the House of Representatives for Bradfield, New South Wales in 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2004.

He has clearly stated his intention to focus on Defence and industry relations as part of his portfolio responsibilities.

Dr Nelson has overall responsibility for all matters covered by the Defence portfolio, including Cabinet matters but has also chosen to retain responsibility for the Defence industry policy.

It is not his first stint with Defence. Dr Nelson was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence from 30 Jan 2001 to 26 November 2001, before his promotion to the role of Minister for Education, Science and Training.

New to the portfolio also is the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Bruce Billson MP.

Mr Billson’s responsibilities include personnel policy, compensation, superannuation, ADF retention, Defence education, Defence health services, military law, discipline and high level Board of Inquiry and investigations into personnel matters. Mr Billson is also responsible for the Defence Community Organisation/Defence Families of Australia and honours and awards, and is responsible for assisting the Minister for Defence on defence industry policy.

Also joining the Defence portfolio as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence is Senator Sandy Macdonald. Senator Macdonald’s responsibilities include Defence corporate services and infrastructure matters, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Reserve policy, along with community matters arising from and in connection with ADF operational training activities. Senator Macdonald’s responsibilities also include Defence industry liaison.