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Federal Deputy Opposition Leader and shadow minister for defence Richard Marles has toured DECO Australia’s manufacturing facility in Minto, NSW.
The shadow minister observed the SME’s defence capabilities, which included surface finishing, protective coatings and non-combustible aluminium building products.
In his meeting with DECO founder and director Ross Doonan, Marles discussed defence procurement policies, and expressed support for greater collaboration with local small businesses for defence contracts.
“Australia has a wealth of local suppliers who would be an asset to the defence industry,” DECO director Ross Doonan said.
“And yet they are underrated and often overlooked by Australian defence, and by the prime contractors they work with.
“It is difficult to become involved – often, SMEs are not even sure where to start. It is crucial that these innovative, creative businesses receive greater opportunities to be included in defence contracts and make the valuable contribution of which they are capable.”
The pair noted the importance of government assistance to SMEs in overcoming barriers to trading with prime contractors, touting the creation of a pathways program that accredits SMEs with primes, and the revival of the Australian Industry Capability program.
Doonan and Marles also discussed the need to protect the intellectual property of Australian businesses from overseas suppliers and lower quality alternatives, and the need to strengthen local supply chains.
During his visit, the Deputy Opposition Leader viewed DECO’s surface finishing for a wide range of defence applications, from weapon and machine parts to infrastructure applications such as defence barrack buildings, wayfinding signage and more.
“DECO Australia is an excellent example of quality, customer focus and innovation that highlights how local businesses can not only contribute to, but strengthen defence supply chains,” Doonan said.
“Our custom finishing processes and in-house testing facilities show just how eager we are to come up with unprecedented, creative and compliant solutions to meet defence project needs.
“Businesses like us may be the answer a lot of defence projects are looking for – we just need greater recognition and a chance to become directly involved.”
[Related: Aussie SME secures battery contract for next-gen Saab submarines]
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