Creating opportunities for Australia’s defence industry

IMPROVING links between research and industry, and encouraging industry leadership to find, exploit and create business opportunities, are essential when competing with global businesses in the defence industry, according to the Department of Industry.

The department will give evidence at a public hearing tomorrow of the Defence Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.

The Department of Industry works closely with the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Australian Military Sales Office, the Defence Export Control Office and Austrade to maximise export opportunities for Australia’s defence industry.

The department’s appearance at the hearing will provide an opportunity for the Sub-Committee to explore a range of challenges for Australian companies engaged in advanced manufacturing, including those companies supporting the defence industry.
 
Chair of the Defence Sub-Committee, Senator David Fawcett (SA), stated that, “While outlining what the challenges are and what is already being done, the inquiry will allow us to see if efforts can be better focussed to foster a thriving defence industry sector, incorporating research and innovation as well as manufacture and investment opportunities.”

The inquiry's terms of reference include identifying barriers and impediments to the growth of Australia's defence exports; how Government can better engage and assist Australian defence industry to export its products; the operation of the Defence Export Control Office; and assessment of the export support given to defence industry by governments of comparable nations.

Public hearing
Date/Time: Tuesday, 10 February 2015, 5.40 pm
Location: Parliament House Committee Room 1R1
Organisations: Department of Industry

The hearing will be audio broadcast live at www.aph.gov.au/live.