Ipswich is hosting the state’s largest defence summit of the year, which will outline industry plans from all levels of government and the massive potential for industry in the region.
The inaugural Queensland Defence Summit: Ipswich 2018, to be held next Tuesday at the USQ Springfield Central campus, will be the biggest gathering of its kind in Queensland to engage on defence industry strategies, projects and opportunities.
The one-day event is presented by Ipswich City Council and the Queensland Government with support by the Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN). Over 300 delegates have registered to attend.
The line-up of speakers includes newly appointed Assistant Minister for Defence David Fawcett, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the Australian Defence Force before entering politics; former Minister for Defence David Johnston, recently appointed as Australia’s first Defence Export Advocate; Queensland Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick; the Federal Government’s Acting Chief of Defence Strategy Dr Todd Mansell; First Assistant Secretary, Defence Industry Policy Division Dr Sheridan Kearnan; Dr Karen Stanton, the Managing Director of Heat Treatment Australia as well as a Board Member of the Centre of Defence Industry Capability (CDIC); and the US Army’s South Pacific Region Director Lieutenant Colonel Daniel P. Henzie.
“Across Australia, businesses are responding with enthusiasm to the opportunities provided by the Australian Government’s more than $200 billion investment in defence capability,” Senator Fawcett said.
“This inaugural defence summit is a great example of this and I am sure the summit will provide an opportunity for the region to build on Ipswich’s already strong contribution to defence capabilities, including to operations at RAAF Base Amberley.
“I look forward to discussing the Australian Government’s defence industry policy agenda and how Ipswich can utilise the government’s industry support mechanisms to contribute to the successful delivery of our investment program.”
“Queensland’s defence industry is growing rapidly, and this summit will be invaluable to equipping local businesses with the knowledge and connections they need to succeed in this sector,” Minister Dick said.
“Essential to building that is getting the right people together in a room. By bringing all the pieces together, we can unlock a network of capability that is greater than the sum of its parts.”
The summit will also feature the big names in the defence industry, including Boeing Defence Australia, Rhienmetall Defence Australia, TAE Aerospace, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Thales, RUAG and Raytheon Australia.
One of the highlights of the day will be the presence of Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s prototype Boxer CRV – the next generation of armoured combat vehicles for the Australian Army. Rheinmetall chose the Ipswich suburb of Redbank to base its Asia-Pacific Headquarters and Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) to build more than 200 Boxer CRVs as part of a $5 billon Australian Government defence contract.
Defence Ipswich Facts and Figures:
- Nearly 10 per cent of all employment in Ipswich is in the defence industry and associated supply chain
- The defence industry generates over $1.36 billion in export value for the local economy.
- The City of Ipswich has a long and productive relationship with the Australian Defence Force, it represents a significant part of our history, our identity, our community and our future.
- A quarter of Queensland’s defence workforce operates in Ipswich.
- Home to Australia’s largest military air base – RAAF Base Amberley and its 7,400 strong population.
- Future home to Rhinemetall Defence Australia’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE), where the $5.2 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 project will be delivered.
- Prioritised in the State Government South East Queensland Regional Plan as an area of economic significance for defence, aviation, manufacturing and logistics.
- The Queensland Defence Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, part of the Advance Queensland initiative, is the state plan to support growth in this sector.
- The Queensland Government vision under the Roadmap is to significantly increase defence revenue and generate 3,500 new full-time jobs by 2028.
- The alignment of City of Ipswich Defence Industry Attraction Committee (CIDIAC) and the City of Ipswich Defence Industry Strategy 2018-2023 is the first model of its kind in Australia and empowers Ipswich as a national leader in defence industry activity and opportunity.
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