The Hon Steven Ciobo MP
Minister for Defence Industry
A member of Prime Minister Morrison’s Cabinet, he is responsible for the Government’s plan, outlined in the 2016 Defence White Paper, to invest $195 billion in building Australia’s Defence capability over the next 10 years. In 2017 Minister Ciobo worked closely with now Defence Minister Pyne to develop the Defence Export Strategy, including the creation of the $3.8 billion Defence Export Facility managed by the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation. Previously Mr Ciobo was Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. In this role he pursued the most ambitious trade agenda in Australia’s history, concluding four trade agreements covering 19 countries and launching negotiations with the European Union, Hong Kong and Pacific Alliance. Minister Ciobo concluded the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), the history making Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Indonesia, and deals with Peru, Singapore, and Pacific Island countries.