Australian + New Zealand Defence Directory 20/21

AUSTRALIAN + NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE DIRECTORY 2020/21 MINISTERIAL FOREWORD - DEFENCE INDUSTRIES www. d e f e n c e . d i r e c t o r y 34 I am determined to keep the wheels of defence industry turning as we embark on the road ahead to our economic recovery It is clear COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for Australian busi- nesses, forcing us to change and rethink our approach to how we do business with defence industry. In order to keep our defence industry strong, we need to enhance the communication between Defence and industry, re-emphasise the importance of backing small business and always look to new opportunities that put more Aus- tralians in jobs. Throughout this period, together with the Deputy Secretary of CASG, Mr Tony Fras- er, I’ve hosted regular teleconferences with major contractors, industry associations and state and territory defence advocates. The aim has been to provide informa- tion and to hear suggestions and solutions from industry to help them during this pandemic. They’ve appreciated unprecedented access to key officials and advisers to help them to clear road-blocks and red-tape to allow their businesses to keep running. We adapted to the conditions of the pandemic and identified the need to inject much needed cash into Australian small businesses faster. We also established a dedicated support cell for industry and are releasing more Defence projects out for tender to help stimulate the economy. The actions from both our Government and Defence significantly reduced the im- pacts of COVID-19 on defence industry, keeping Australians in jobs and small busi- nesses in work. We are doing this because at the end of the day, we need our defence industry to remain strong so that our troops have what they need to keep Australians safe. Since late March, Defence has paid approximately 110,000 invoices valued at almost $9 billion. Of this, almost $7 billion was paid early, with the benefits flowing on to small business. In May, I also announced our Government was releasing close to $870 million of Defence estate works to the market to bolster defence industry, create new Australian jobs and open more opportunities for small business. We also continued to let out Defence contracts and grants across the country to keep the wheels of defence industry turning and support local businesses during this chal- lenging time. Because of our investments and policies, defence industry will continue to grow and create new jobs for Australians. Our Naval Shipbuilding Col- lege has recently passed 3,000 registrations on their workforce register. Interest in shipbuilding careers is at an all-time high. We need to get more Australians working in our long-term shipbuilding industry to build 70 new naval vessels in Western Australia and South Australia. The work of the Naval Shipbuilding College has been crucial to attract more employment into defence industry, with the College also in talks with Qantas, Virgin and GM Holden workers seeking new jobs. I am also looking to deliver new ways to do business with defence industry. As many will know, I have focused on ensuring we have the right structure in place within the Department of Defence to ensure small businesses get a fair go in our defence programs. That is why I am delivering a new AIC contractual framework to get more enforceable guarantees of investment from major contractors into the Australian economy. I am also pursuing more opportunities for Australian small businesses in major programs and delivering an Independent AIC Audit Program to hold the major contractors to account on their obligations to the Australian taxpayer. With these new changes, we will build on the success of our Government’s investment in defence capabilities and continue to back the 15,000 businesses and 70,000 Australians in our defence industry. I welcome a strong engagement with our New Zealand defence industry partners. Recently I held positive talks with the NZ Defence Minister Ron Mark. His recent announcement of a contract to purchase 43 Australian-made Bushmaster armoured vehicles helps to forge the ties of our strong defence relationship. I thank the publishers of Australian + New Zealand Defence Directory for their continued contribution to our industry and for their work to create a stronger bond between Australia and New Zealand. THE HON MELISSA PRICE MP Minister for Defence Industry