Queensland defence sector on the advance with advisory groups appointed

Published Wednesday, 05 September, 2018 at 11:00 AM

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Cameron Dick

The Palaszczuk Government is setting its sights on Queensland building the nation’s most capable and successful defence industry by enlisting the support of three expert advisory groups to unlock new economic development opportunities.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the advisory groups will provide strategic advice about defence industry development and related investment attraction. 

“One of my top economic priorities is to accelerate the growth of Queensland’s defence sector by building on our state’s world-class defence industrial base, and to increase the number of Queenslanders working in defence manufacturing industries from 6000 to 10,000 in the next decade – an ambitious target we are on our way to achieving.

“The Commonwealth’s Defence Capability Framework has outlined planned expenditure of $195 billion over the next decade to strengthen our defence forces – and I am determined that Queensland, home to the largest army and air force bases in the country, gets its fair share.

“To do this, I have established three expert advisory bodies - an overarching Minister’s Advisory Council on Defence Industry and Jobs, and, importantly, two regionally focused boards for the north and south of the state.

“The expertise and experience of the members will give us a valuable perspective on industry challenges and identifying new opportunities as part of our clear mission to grow Queensland’s defence industry. 

“Membership of the Ministerial Advisory Council will include Chief Defence Advisor and Strategic Defence Advisor for Land, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC (Retd), who, alongside the other strategic defence advisors and respected industry leaders, will help drive the agenda and shape government policies and programs for building industry capability and competitiveness.

“The regional advisory boards will identify supply chain gaps and opportunities and ensure suppliers right across Queensland have the chance to position themselves to tap into this growing market.

“All three groups will offer expert advice and insight to advance key strategies of the Queensland Defence Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan and enable us to grow and promote industry capability, increase the state’s contribution to national and international supply chains and markets, and create high-skilled jobs by targeting emerging markets. 

“Already we’ve seen Rocklea’s Haulmark Trailers Australia and Holmwood Highgate in Loganholme, as part of the Rheinmetall Defence Australia supply chain, benefit from the Federal Government’s boosted defence spend through the $1.4 billion LAND 121 program.

“With the assistance of the new advisory groups, more suppliers will come on board as we focus on being responsive to industry needs and views, and creating a globally-focused, diverse economy that delivers high-value, knowledge-based jobs.”

Find the Queensland Defence Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan here: https://www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/resources/plan/defence-industries/defence-industries-roadmap.pdf

ENDS

Media contact: Anika Hume 0447 320 039

Queensland Minister’s Advisory Council on Defence Industry and Jobs

  • Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (Chair)
  • Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC (Retd) – Chief Defence Advisor / Strategic Defence Advisor - Land
  • Rear Admiral Simon Cullen AM CSC (Retd) – Strategic Defence Advisor – Sea
  • Air Vice Marshall Neil Hart AM (Retd) – Strategic Defence Advisor - Air
  • Major General Stephen (Steve) Day AM DSC (Retd) – Strategic Defence Advisor – Cyber Security
  • Mr Gary Stewart, Rheinmetall Defence Australia
  • Mr Darren Edwards, Boeing Defence Australia
  • Dr Karen Stanton, Heat Treatment Australia
  • Mr Andy Keough CSC, SAAB Australia
  • Mr Carl Quarterman, Australian Industry and Defence Network (Qld)
  • Mr Brendan Sargeant, formerly Department of Defence
  • Ms Sarah Buckler, Local Government Association of Queensland
  • Ms Rachel Hunter, Director-General, DSDMIP (ex officio)
  • Mr Colin Cassidy, Deputy Director-General, DSDMIP (ex officio)

North Queensland Defence Advisory Board

  • Ms Ranee Crosby, Port of Townsville (Chair)
  • Ms Kari Arbouin, Central Queensland University
  • Ms Raelene Caulley, Thales
  • Ms Cathy Weis, Cubic Defence Australia
  • Mr Olav Groot, Norship Marine
  • Mr Brendan Sargeant, formerly Department of Defence
  • Mr Bryan Smith, Rocky’s Own Transport
  • Mr Colin Cassidy, Deputy Director-General, DSDMIP (ex officio)

South Queensland Defence Advisory Board

  • Ms Jane Hunter, Boeing Defence Australia (Chair)
  • Mr Robert (Bob) Brett MC PSC, Wandering Warriors
  • Ms Sarah Earey, L3 Micreo
  • Ms Teresia Fors, Volvo
  • Ms Linda-Ann Griffiths, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal
  • Ms Bernadette McIntyre, McIntyre Equip/Steyr Motors
  • Mr Andrew Sanderson, TAE Aerospace
  • Major General Richard Wilson AO (Retd), Queensland Reconstruction Authority
  • Mr Colin Cassidy, Deputy Director-General, DSDMIP (ex officio)