<Tr> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> Bruce Scott </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> National </Td> <Td> Howard </Td> <Td> Minister assisting the Minister for Defence </Td> <Td> 21 October 1998 </Td> <Td> 26 November 2001 </Td> <Td> 7003113200000000000 ♠ 3 years, 36 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> Danna Vale </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Liberal </Td> <Td> 26 November 2001 </Td> <Td> 7 October 2003 </Td> <Td> 7002680000000000000 ♠ 1 year, 315 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> Mal Brough </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 7 October 2003 </Td> <Td> 18 July 2004 </Td> <Td> 285 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> Fran Bailey </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 18 July 2004 </Td> <Td> 22 October 2004 </Td> <Td> 285 days </Td> </Tr>

What does the minister of defence do australia