Air Marshal Rob Chipman: Thank you Matthew for the wonderful acknowledgement of country. Yangu ngalawiri dunimanyan. We gather to today on Ngunnawal country. We do so during NAIDOC week, an opportunity for us all to acknowledge and to celebrate our first nation people’s history, culture and connections to country.
I add my respects to the Ngunnawal elders. I extend that to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here today, and to those who serve with distinction in the Australian Defence Force.
CDF, General Angus Campbell, Secretary Mr Greg Moriarty, CDF Designate Vice Admiral David and Belinda Johnston; members of the Service Attaché and Advisory Group; distinguished guests; family and friends; ladies and gentlemen. Good morning.
It’s with immense pride, gratitude and a deep sense of duty that I stand before you today as the new Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force. It’s a profound responsibility that I accept with humility and resolve.
I of course come into the role at a pivotal time in our history. When the international system that has underpinned Australia’s security and prosperity for almost 80 years is under intense pressure. When the scope and scale of investment in military technology is simultaneously unsettling and imperative. Our assumptions and expectations are being challenged and contested.
But conflict is not pre-ordained.
Through the work of the Defence Strategic Review, cemented in our ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Defence Strategy, we’ve established the intellectual foundations for navigating this era of great power competition. It’s time now, to redouble our efforts and deliver the combat strength Australia needs to deter military adventurism and preserve a stable balance of power in our region.
It’s my great fortune to assume this role after Vice Admiral David Johnston, whose tenure has seen a recalibration of our future investment program, increased integration of ADF military power, and a more strategic approach to managing Defence preparedness.
It’s been an extraordinary six years, and on behalf of us all, within VCDF Group and across the Department, I thank you and Belinda for your leadership and wisdom, your friendship and collaboration, and your indefatigable dedication to duty.
I commit to continuing this work, under your leadership now as Chief of the Australian Defence Force.
I commit first and foremost to be a champion for all our sailors, soldiers, aviators and public servants working in Defence. We are a wonderful institution; we have a rich history filled with stories of courage, ingenuity and mateship. It’s our collective strength, built on this strong legacy that gives us the confidence and capability to take on the challenges of our future.
Collective strength though, relies on our enduring commitment to create a safe and respectful workplace. A workplace that values and empowers our people, embraces diversity and inspires individuals to realise their full potential through their contribution to our performance as a team.
I commit to serve with you, and for all of you. To strengthen our culture through leadership and example. I commit to implement the learnings from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide. And I commit to honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families.
I do so recognising that trust, both within our ranks and across the Australian community, is foundational to our success. I commit to strengthen trust through transparent and accountable leadership; through collaboration and constructive engagement; and by living the values that express our culture.
We apply ourselves now to the task of ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Defence, delivered through a strategy of denial. To support our capability managers as they prepare our forces for crisis and conflict. And to support the Chief of Joint Operations to employ those forces to maximum effect. Through thoughtful leadership, innovative tactics, exceptional teamwork and an unwavering determination to win – through focus and integration – we deliver deterrence today.
In a strategic landscape that is evolving rapidly, we must continue to adapt and innovate; to keep pace and achieve advantage. Within each of the five warfighting domains, and integrated across them, working alongside science and academia, industry, and of course our allies and partners, we’ll focus on emerging technologies, and merging technologies that will keep our Defence capabilities on the leading edge.
We’ll continue working with our delivery groups to ensure the processes we use to decide on and deliver this essential capability are fit for purpose. And to provide a level of oversight that assures our projects deliver the value our Government expects, and the capability our sailors, soldiers and aviators deserve.
This is vital work.
As I commit myself to it, I’d like to thank my family – Alyce, Tom, Ollie, Darcy and Charlie – for their steadfast support to me. I am conscious that my career places heavy demands on our family life, and I recognise that it would not be possible for me to continue serving without your love and support. Thank you.
Let me close by saying the challenges we face are significant, but not insurmountable. We have the strategy to prevail – it is our task now to implement it. I am deeply honoured to share this task with you; to serve with such a dedicated and capable team. Like you, I’m absolutely committed to our success; to the security and prosperity of our great nation.
Thank you.
