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Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has unveiled new members of her national security team, with some familiar faces and some new ones across defence industry, cyber security and artificial intelligence.
Tasmanian senator Claire Chandler has been appointed to the Liberal National Party’s (LNP) shadow ministry, taking over the cyber security and science portfolios.
“In recent months, Senator Chandler has worked diligently in prosecuting Labor’s national security missteps,” Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said in a 14 September statement.
“She has a deep passion for the subject matter in both these important portfolios.”
Chandler had held several cabinet roles previously but was dumped from the frontbench following the LNP’s electoral defeat earlier this year.
“Australia’s national security is under real pressure from foreign interference and cyber threats. These are serious issues and I’ve consistently spoken out about them because they matter to me and to many Australians,” Chandler said in a post to X.
“That’s why I’ve taken on the opportunity to serve in a key national security role as shadow minister for cyber security and shadow minister for science. These portfolios are central to our national interest. Cyber security is a front-line issue for Australia’s safety and sovereignty, and science is critical to building the capability we need to stay secure and competitive in a fast-moving world.
“I look forward to using this role not just to hold the Albanese government to account but also to help shape the Coalition’s direction and policies to strengthen Australia’s defences and protect our future.”
Senator Chandler is joined by the return of former minister for defence industry, science and technology Melissa Price who will bring her experience from her time in government to the portfolio.
Speaking exclusively to Defence Connect, Price said, “I am honoured to be appointed shadow minister for defence industry and defence personnel as part of the Coalition shadow ministry. Australia faces its most dangerous strategic environment since World War II, and we must act with urgency to ensure our nation is strong, fast and ready.
“As former defence industry minister, I was part of the Defence Portfolio team that secured AUKUS – an agreement that is about much more than submarines, it is about securing peace through strength. To be a credible ally, Australia must lift Defence spending to at least 3 per cent of GDP, deliver on shipbuilding, and ensure our Defence personnel have the support and resources they need,” Price said.
Price added, “One of my key priorities will be to hold the Albanese Labor government to account to ensure promises are delivered – particularly in Western Australia, where a world-class shipbuilding industry must be built, not just announced. As I did when I was the minister, I will also be pushing the Albanese government to create a real and lasting sovereign defence industry and insisting that our incredibly talented Australian contractors get a fair go.”
In addition to these changes, Ley also announced the creation of a new shadow ministry position, with Simon Kennedy assigned to the new role of shadow assistant minister for artificial intelligence. Kennedy will also take on the portfolios of the digital economy and government waste.
Additional reporting by Steve Kuper.
