Portfolio — 12 May 2026
12 May 2026 was a significant day in the Defence portfolio, combining a fatal training accident and a major budget-eve defence spending announcement. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles informed the House that Warrant Officer Lachlan Muddle — a 30-year veteran and SAS-qualified soldier — died in a midair parachuting collision at Jervis Bay, prompting an immediate ADF-wide suspension of parachuting activities and the launch of internal and external investigations.
In question time, Marles defended and contextualised the National Defence Strategy 2026, released four weeks prior, which delivers a $14.5 billion increase over the forward estimates and $53 billion over the decade — figures to be locked in that night's budget. The $12–15 billion earmarked for autonomous systems and drones signals a structural shift in capability investment priorities.
The official records this note draws on — the raw primary documents themselves, as published.