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Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has officially unveiled her long-awaited shadow ministry with some surprise new appointees across the defence and national security portfolios.
Defence Connect can officially reveal the opposition’s new look defence and national security team, to be led by former shadow treasurer Angus Taylor in the shadow minister for defence role, replacing Andrew Hastie, to be supported by firebrand senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to serve as shadow minister for defence industry and shadow minister for defence personnel.
Hastie moves from his role as shadow minister for defence to shadow minister for home affairs, with former minister for defence industry and minister for science Melissa Price set to become the shadow minister for cyber security and shadow minister for science, with shadow assistant minister for defence Phillip Thompson OAM retaining that role.
Taylor, a member of the Liberal Party, has represented the NSW seat of Hume in the House of Representatives since 2013. A former management consultant and Rhodes Scholar, Taylor quickly rose through the political ranks, serving in key ministerial positions. He was appointed assistant minister to the prime minister in 2018, before becoming minister for energy later that year under Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
In 2019, he assumed the role of minister for energy and emissions reduction, a portfolio that drew both praise and controversy, particularly concerning Australia’s energy policies and emission targets. After the Morrison government’s defeat in 2022, Taylor became the shadow treasurer under Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, where he continues to shape economic policy for the Liberal Party.
Nampijinpa Price, a Warlpiri-Celtic woman from Alice Springs, was elected as senator for the Northern Territory in 2022, representing the Country Liberal Party, which is aligned federally with the Liberal Party. Price gained prominence as a vocal advocate for Indigenous communities, particularly on issues of domestic violence, child protection, and opposition to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Her parliamentary debut was marked by passionate speeches on closing the gap and addressing dysfunction in remote communities. In 2023, she was appointed shadow minister for Indigenous Australians, cementing her role as a leading Indigenous voice within the Coalition and a prominent conservative critic of Labor’s Indigenous policies.
Hastie has been the Liberal Member for Canning in Western Australia since 2015. A former SAS officer, Hastie is known for his national security focus and conservative values. He chaired the Parliamentary Joint Committee on intelligence and security, where he influenced Australia’s stance on foreign interference and cyber security.
Hastie served as assistant minister for defence from 2020 to 2022 in the Morrison government, focusing on defence industry and capability. Following the Coalition’s 2022 election loss, he was appointed shadow minister for defence, positioning himself as a key figure in shaping the opposition’s security and defence policy. His military background and forthright style made him a prominent voice on national security.
Price, a Liberal member from Western Australia, has represented the division of Durack since 2013, one of the largest electorates by area in the world. Initially serving on various parliamentary committees, she was appointed minister for the environment in 2018 under Morrison, overseeing key environmental and conservation portfolios.
Price later served as minister for defence industry from 2019 to 2022, focusing on defence procurement and industry capability. Her tenure included efforts to increase local industry involvement in Australia’s defence projects. After the Coalition’s loss in 2022, she returned to the backbench, continuing to advocate for regional and defence interests.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
