Queensland defence innovation says G’Day USA

Queensland capabilities in defence innovation will be showcased to industry leaders from around the globe at a roundtable event in Washington as part of the 2019 G’Day USA program, May 9-10.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said Queensland’s presence at G’Day USA further boosted the state’s profile as Australia’s leading supplier of next-generation defence technologies.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to build on the success of last year’s inaugural G’Day USA Defence Innovation Roundtable and continue selling our defence industry capabilities to the world,” Mr Dick said.

“The Palaszczuk Government has designated defence and aerospace as priority industries, and through our Defence Industries and Aerospace 10-year Roadmaps we’re accelerating growth in these industries to create more high-value, knowledge-based jobs in Queensland.

“The construction of Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) and its Australia-New Zealand headquarters in Redbank is a clear indication Queensland’s defence capabilities are being recognised worldwide.

“Construction of MILVEHCOE will support an average of 300 jobs over two years, while the entire LAND 400 Phase 2 project will also provide significant opportunities for local SMEs to participate in Rheinmetall’s global supply chain.

This announcement comes off the back of the Palaszczuk Government launching a new campaign, Operation Queensland, to support Rheinmetall’s bid for the estimated $15 billion LAND 400 Phase 3 project.

“We currently have more than 6500 Queenslanders employed in defence industry roles, and secured $9.55 billion in Australian defence contracts during 2017-18,” Mr Dick said.

“Momentum is definitely increasing in our defence industries, and there’s huge potential to grow, which is why our government is working to put Queensland on the global map when it comes to defence.”

The Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDMIP) will be the sole state sponsor of the US-Australian Roundtable on Defence Innovation.

At the event, senior DSDMIP executives will actively promote Queensland’s defence capabilities to industry executives, policy experts, academics and national security representatives.

For details of the full 2019 G’Day USA program, visit gdayusa.org.

ENDS

Media contact: Lesley Major 0419 288 284

G’Day USA fast facts:

• G’Day USA has been running for 15 years, with more than 20 major events held across the US each year
• There were more than one million attendees at events and activations in 2018, with the program’s annual media reach at 500 million
• The G’Day USA US-Australia Dialogue on Defence Industries is in its sixth year, with 300 industry leaders attending in 2018
• The Roundtable on Defence Innovation is in its second year and is a separate, complementary event to Dialogue on Defence Industries
• Queensland is currently the sole state sponsor for this invitation-only event, which features a closed-door roundtable discussion followed by a networking lunch for up to 30 industry leaders
• Attendees: defence industry leaders, Fortune 500 companies, policy makers, investors, economists and national security experts
• Discussion topics: Future defence projects, mutual investment, advanced manufacturing, emerging quantum and space technologies