The Hon. Richard Marles MP is the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Minister for Defense and the Federal Member for Corio.

Richard was first elected to the House of Representatives for Corio, Victoria in 2007.

Richard’s previous ministerial appointments include Minister of Trade, Minister for Employment, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, and Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Affairs.

Born in 1967, Richard was raised and educated in Geelong and went on to study Law and Science, achieving a LLB (Hons) and a BSc from the University of Melbourne.

Richard lives in Geelong with his wife Rachel and has four children, Sam, Isabella, Harvey and Georgia.

He is a devoted Geelong Cats supporter, golf fanatic, a keen photographer, a snowdome collector and local history enthusiast.

Responsibilities

1 – Oversight of all aspects of the Defense portfolio

2 – Budget

3 – Reform and enterprise management

4 – Strategic policy

5 – International policy and engagement

6 – Intelligence

7 – Australian Signals Directorate

8 – ADF operations

9 – Defense Planning Guidance

10 – Integrated Investment Program

11 – Development of capability requirements

12 – Preparedness

13 – Force Posture, including United States Force Posture Initiative and Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative

14 – Science and technology policy and support to capability and operations

15 – Estate and infrastructure policy

16 – Defense export controls