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Defence Minister, Linda Reynolds CSC has officially welcomed the appointment of Andrew Hastie as Assistant Minister for Defence, following a ministerial reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
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The appointment of Mr Hastie to the position of Assistant Minister for Defence, was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a press conference in Canberra, where he said, "No one possibly could question what Andrew can bring to this role at this very important time. It's something that the Minister for Defence and I felt very strongly about.
"We're very pleased that Andrew can join us in that team and I think he'll do an extraordinary job. His service is already on public record in uniform and what he's done here in this Parliament, and particularly as Chair of the PJCIS Committee has been exemplary," the Prime Minister said.
Minister for Defence, Senator Linda Reynolds CSC officially welcomed and congratulated Mr Hastie on his promotion, saying, "I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement today of Andrew Hastie’s appointment as Assistant Minister for Defence.
"Mr Hastie brings to the Assistant Minister role significant understanding and experience in defence matters as a result of his past distinguished career in the military. I look forward to working with Mr Hastie as he takes up his responsibilities," Minister Reynolds added.
Andrew Hastie MP is a member of the Australian Parliament, representing the electorate of Canning in the House of Representatives. Mr Hastie completed a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in History and Philosophy through the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy. In 2006, he graduated officer training at the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
In 2009, Hastie deployed to Afghanistan as a Cavalry Troop Leader. In 2010, he was selected for service with the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) as a Troop Commander, taking commands in maritime and special reconnaissance capabilities. He deployed to Afghanistan again in 2013 as a Troop Commander with the Australian Special Operations Task Group. During his service with the SASR, he deployed to various theatres in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific.
Hastie resigned from the ADF in 2015 to successfully contest the Canning by-election for the Liberal Party of Australia. He was re-elected in the general elections of 2016 and 2019. Since 2017 Hastie has served as Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
His work has particularly focused on national security, including counter-terrorism, espionage and foreign interference.
Minister Reynolds also extended her thanks to outgoing assistant defence minister, Alex Hawke, who was moved to the Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, with Minister Reynolds saying, "I thank Minister Hawke for his contribution to the portfolio over the past 18 months and wish him every success in his new role."
The full Defence Connect Insight podcast with Andrew Hastie MP can be found here.
