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Booking is now available for the Hunter Defence Conference 2018, which provides an opportunity for Defence, primes, SMEs and education institutions to collaborate and engage on innovation and skills development.
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The 2018 Defence Conference, to be held 30-31 August, will focus on the development of regional innovation and collaborative commercial opportunities relevant to land, sea and air defence.
The conference facilities will be configured so attendees can engage dedicated break-out areas. The aim is to drive collaboration and engagement between defence primes and the regions SMEs in order to further develop their understanding of their respective roles and requirements in delivering optimal Defence outcomes.
The Hunter and Central Coast region is defence-oriented with the location of RAAF Williamtown with Air Combat Group and Surveillance and Response Group (SRG). Other elements include Singleton’s Lone Pine Army Barracks School of Infantry and the Special Forces Training Centre, primes (including BAE Systems, Thales, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Forgacs and Varley).
The region is also home to many defence-capable SMEs like Milskil supporting technically capable people and related organisations. These SMEs either work with or supply the capacity and have been identified to support and apply their capability to the requirements of Defence, directly, or more specifically through prime contractors or subcontractors.
There are also other SMEs who have the capability to provide their services to Defence, however they require additional skills and knowledge to obtain Defence work. For the development and establishment of a larger defence industry within the region, capabilities need opportunities identified and the ‘Defence’ skilling of SMEs and people.
The conference will include speeches from a number of key government stakeholders including:
- Minister for Defence Marise Payne;
- NSW Minister for Trade and Industry Niall Blair; and
- Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne.
Additionally, keynote addresses will be provided by a number of industry and departmental stakeholders, including:
- The Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) and Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG);
- The Defence Science Technology Group;
- Lockheed Martin Australia;
- The NSW Defence Innovation Network; and
- The Department of Premier and Cabinet.
More information, including booking options for the Hunter Defence Conference 2018, can be found here.
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.
