- The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP and Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP met with a number of defence industry representatives at a roundtable event in Adelaide.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Marles said the Australian Government was taking a collaborative approach to working with defence industry in order to develop, build, and sustain Defence capability at the required pace.
“Australia’s geo-strategic environment underscores the need for a robust, sovereign and internationally competitive defence industry base,” Deputy Prime Minister Marles said.
“That is why the Australian Government is committed to building a genuine, long-term partnership with defence industry, large and small, both locally and internationally.”
Minister Conroy said the Australian Government was focused on strengthening Australia’s sovereign capabilities, bolstering local manufacturing, and creating new jobs.
“The defence industry partnership is essential to developing the sovereign industrial base to provide the ADF the capabilities it needs, in the areas of greatest criticality, when it needs it,” Minister Conroy said.
“The Australian Government seeks to maximise opportunities and remove barriers for Australian industry participation in Defence procurement.”
As part of this is a commitment to maximising Australian industrial participation within Defence capability acquisition and sustainment projects.
“Our defence industry plan is not only about our nation’s security – it’s about economic prosperity as well,” said Deputy Prime Minister Marles.
