Australian + New Zealand Defence Directory 20/21

AUSTRALIAN + NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE DIRECTORY 2020/21 MINISTERIAL FOREWORD - DEFENCE www. d e f e n c e . d i r e c t o r y 33 D efence businesses in Australia and New Zealand have faced exceptional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am immensely proud of the ingenuity and adaptability those businesses have displayed in adjusting to the effects of COVID-19 on our industry and supply chains. I am also pleased that Australia has been able to work closely with New Zealand so we can together confront the challenges posed by the pandemic. And this link is set to get stronger. In May, the Minister for Defence Industry the Hon Melissa Price MP and I had the pleasure of speaking with NZ Defence Minister the Hon Ron Mark and agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation in response to the pandemic. During this unprecedented time, the Morrison Government has increased support to the Australian defence industrial base. We have stepped up regular engagements with key defence companies and State and Territory Defence Industry Advocates. We have brought forward invoice payments to support cash flow in the industry and we have supported business continuity arrangements through the Centre for Defence Industry Capability. As Defence Minister, I am committed to a program of future investment and oppor- tunities for defence industry, and I will ensure the sector plays an important role in Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. Our commitment is clearly evident in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Defence Force Structure Plan which the Prime Minister and I recently released. This plan reinforces the role of Australia’s defence industry as a fundamental input to ca- pability and emphasises the Government’s vision of building a robust, resilient and internationally-competitive defence industrial base. It amounts to a $270 billion invest- ment in Defence capability over the decade. The Government is resolutely committed to the development of Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base and maximising opportunities for Australian industry participation in this substantial investment. The Force Structure Plan also delivers increased funding to innovation and capability acceleration programs to support industry to deliver the innovative solutions Defence needs to maintain its capability edge. For example, we will invest a further $800 million over the decade through the Defence Innovation Hub to fund Australian and New Zealand entities to develop innovative technologies with the potential to enhance Defence capabilities. Last year saw the release of the first two implementation plans for the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities, with the remaining eight plans to be released by the end of 2020. The Australian Defence Export Office continues to provide advice and support to help Australia’s defence industry to increase their presence in international markets. This includes assisting and supporting companies to increase exports, particularly in a virtual environment as a result of COVID-19. Growing a defence industry with the skills and expertise to capitalise on the opportunities of the Government’s investment in defence capability is also a key priority of this Government. The National Defence Industry Skilling Office continues to connect students in higher learning with industry through the Defence Industry Internship Program; provide support to small and medium businesses with the Centre for Defence Industry Capability for skilling workforces; and engage with schools across Australia to promote defence industry as a potential career pathway through the School Pathways Program. These initiatives will help deliver the Government’s vision for an Australian defence industry with the capability, posture and resilience to help meet the future needs of the Australian Defence Force. I commend the Australia + New Zealand Defence Directory publishers for producing a valuable resource that continues to reinforce the relationship between industry and Defence. Now more than ever, defence industry is integral to our security and will play a key role in supporting our economic recovery. . SENATOR THE HON LINDA REYNOLDS CSC Minister for Defence, Australia