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PODCAST: Supporting Indigenous engagement and participation in defence – Norman Laing, Defence Indigenous Cultural Adviser

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PODCAST: Supporting Indigenous engagement and participation in defence – Norman Laing, Defence Indigenous Cultural Adviser

Indigenous Australians have a proud history of serving with the ADF, from World War I to the specialist recon units of NORFORCE. Now as government shifts its focus to developing a sovereign defence industry capability, Indigenous Australians are emerging as a fundamental input to capability.

Indigenous Australians have a proud history of serving with the ADF, from World War I to the specialist recon units of NORFORCE. Now as government shifts its focus to developing a sovereign defence industry capability, Indigenous Australians are emerging as a fundamental input to capability.

 
 

On this Defence Connect podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Defence Indigenous Cultural Adviser Norman Laing, as they discuss his career in Defence, what attracted him to serving in the Australian Defence Force and the history of Indigenous Australians serving in the ADF. 

Laing also talks about the role of the Defence Indigenous Cultural Adviser and how Defence is working with Indigenous communities around the country to support individuals and their communities. 

Finally, they discuss the growing role of defence businesses in supporting Australia’s defence capability, with a number of Indigenous businesses growing to serve an increasingly important role in the government's sovereign industry capability plans. 

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: PODCAST: Defence export ambitions, drone technology and defence manufacturing hubs
Episode 10: PODCAST: Offshore manufacturing, defence procurement and industrial resilience, with Philippe Odouard and David McLaughlin
Episode 9: SPOTLIGHT: Cyber warfare, autonomy and the future of defence, with Palo Alto Networks’ Tom Scully and MAJGEN (Ret’d) John Davis
Episode 8: CONTESTED GROUND: Fortune favours the bold – building a national security strategy for the 21st century, with Marc Ablong
Episode 7: PODCAST: Developing Australia’s ability to take a hit and keep fighting, with the honourable Andrew Hastie MP, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability
Episode 6: PODCAST: AUKUS expansion, artillery manufacturing and Australia’s regional defence role
Episode 5: SPOTLIGHT: Building mass, capability and trust with autonomous and uncrewed systems, with Michael Mitchell, Elysium EPL director
Episode 4: PODCAST: Defence policy, domestic manufacturing and military culture, with Senator Malcolm Roberts
Episode 3: SPOTLIGHT: LAND 156, counter-drone warfare and electronic warfare capability, with Department 13’s Ben Westgarth
Episode 2: PODCAST: Australia’s first 3D printed autonomous USV, with Josh Wigley and Harry Hubbert