About David
David served in the Australian Defence Force for over 22 years. An Army pilot, he flew helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and was the Senior Flying Instructor at the School of Army Aviation in Queensland.
Graduating as an experimental test pilot from the Empire Test Pilots’ School (UK), he finished his full time career in Defence as the Commanding Officer of the RAAF Aircraft Research and Development Unit.
Elected to the House of Representatives as the Member for Wakefield (SA) in 2004, he served in the Parliament until 2007. David continued to fly as a test pilot and ran a small business working in the Defence and Aviation sectors prior to being elected to the Senate in 2010, 2016 and again in 2019.
In the (45th) Parliament, David was sworn as the Assistant Minister for Defence.
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Happy Easter!
While for many, Easter is an opportunity to take a break from the busyness of life and spend time with friends and family, it is historically a time of deep reflection for Christians around the world.
Whether or not you personally recognise the truth of the Christian faith, I encourage you to take some time to reflect on the monumental role Christianity has had in shaping modern Australia.
Jesus’ life and teachings are imprinted on every facet of our liberal, plural democracy—from the value that we hold for human rights and the dignity of every person, to the principles of equality before the law and the separation of church and state.
We live in a society that owes much to our Christian heritage.
For those of us who recognise Jesus Christ as the Saviour and the Son of God, this Easter weekend—and today in particular—serves as a reminder of the fact that Jesus sacrificed His life for us and a celebration of the fact that He rose again on Sunday.
The news of Easter Sunday offers the hope of undeserved forgiveness and new life after death—because He is Risen!
May you and your loved ones enjoy a safe and blessed Easter! ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you David!! For your beautiful testimony of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We had a beautiful service this morning remembering His journey on that day he died on the cross for us. Thank you for being a faithful servant. 💕🙏🙏
Well said, and bravely, in Jesus's name 👏 👍
Thanks to the Defence Teaming Centre for inviting me and a representative from the Albanese Government to address a Defence Industry Breakfast this morning.
While I ended up being the only speaker to prioritise this event, it provided a useful platform for South Australian companies and interested parties to discuss a range of national security questions. In particular, there was a real focus on the many companies that have left the Defence industry sector over the past three years. It was good to be able to outline some specific measures to expedite capability for the ADF and increase the number of contracts being awarded to Australian companies.
Underpinning reforms to how we procure capability is recognising the need for adequate funding.
As part of my remarks, I highlighted independent analysis by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), which reveals a stark contrast between the record of the former Coalition Government and the last three years under Labor.
ASPI highlight that the Coalition delivered nine years of budget increases in real terms to improve defence capability.
ASPI highlight that, in contrast, what the Albanese Government has actually delivered—despite Australia facing the most uncertain times since the Second World War and Labor making big promises about increased funding in the future—is a reduction in funding over the three years they have been in office.
Gutting $83bn worth of extant capabilities and procurement activities has reduced Australia’s ability to respond to threats before the end of this decade.
Only a Coalition Government will provide the necessary leadership to act now to keep Australians safe. ... See MoreSee Less
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ASPI Analysis 2021-22: www.aspi.org.au/report/cost-defence-aspi-defence-budget-brief-2021-2022 ASPI Analysis 2023-24: www.aspi.org.au/report/big-squeeze
Thanks Senator David Fawcett, pity i couldn’t be there.
And for the strength of the Nation we need aerial mobility considering our large but sparsely populated island continent. The foundation for this is general aviation which has been 2/3rds destroyed by the independent Commonwealth corporate CASA. CASA has, since 1988 when Minister Gareth Evans kicked aviation out of his Department in defiance of the Westminster principle of Ministerial responsibility, created an regulatory nightmare of ever changing complex rules for which all sorts of unnecessary permissions are required to which are attached swingeing fees. Time to put aviation back into a Department with a Minister in charge. Illustration, what we told in 1989, the extract opposite has occurred and much of our secondary airports such as Moorabbin and Bankstown has been alienated for aviation uses, hangars bulldozed, aviation businesses forced out in favour of warehouses, factories and shopping centres.
Thanks to Amy Grantham, Liberal for Adelaide, and the Adelaide FEC of the Liberal Party for hosting a Defence Forum at the Sussex Hotel last night.
It was good to be able to discuss a range of defence-related issues and take some questions on national security and foreign affairs.
Only a Coalition Government will provide the strong leadership needed to get Australia's defence and national security back on track. ... See MoreSee Less
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Great to be down at Goolwa this morning to speak at an energy forum, hosted by Zane Basic, Liberal for Mayo, and discuss the Coalition’s plan for affordable and reliable energy by investing in a balanced energy mix including gas, renewables and zero-emissions nuclear.
I spoke about the need for an evidence-based approach to energy policy—highlighting expert economic and engineering analysis, which shows that Labor’s ideological energy policy will only drive power prices even higher. Here in South Australia, the leader in Labor’s renewables transition, we pay some of the highest electricity prices in the world.
We need to deliver a balanced energy mix, which will put us on a trajectory out of Labor’s energy crisis and towards a future of abundant, reliable and affordable electricity.
Learn more about our plan (link in comments). ... See MoreSee Less
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Learn more: www.liberal.org.au/our-plan