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Synergies with the Defence and Resources Sectors

Synergies with the Defence and Resources Sectors: Prospects for Success

Synergies with the Defence and Resources Sectors

Prospects for Collaboration

The American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, in partnership with WA DEFENCE REVIEW, are pleased to invite you to a unique event focusing on the potential that exists for collaboration between two well-established industries in WA: The Defence and resources sectors.

The examples of BAE Systems Australia, Hofmann Engineering, University of Western Australia and South Metro TAFE, demonstrate that there is an already established and growing segment of defence industry in WA that is working with the resources sector. According to the defence industry advocacy group, the Henderson Alliance, about 75% of local Defence SMEs are to varying capacities already engaged in work within the resources sector.

The Commonwealth Government has entered into a period of reinvigorated Defence spending on new acquisitions, and investment into the development of game-changing capabilities. This may provide a catalyst for resources sector companies to enter the Defence supply chain, given the obvious industrial, technical and workforce synergies that are germane to both sectors. An outstanding case in point is the Civmec subsidiary, Forgacs Marine and Defence.

In addition, the prospects for technological cooperation and innovation is also apparent. The launch of the Defence Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) in Trusted Autonomous Systems at the University of South Australia in July this year, is an indicator of the expanding and synergistic potential. This, however, is just one of numerous possible areas of collaboration between the two sectors that is being explored. As WA focusses towards building a diversified economy, the State is poised on the cusp of a new era, and is positioned to lead the way in collaboration between two of Australia’s cutting-edge industry sectors.

Our five presenters are:

MODERATOR

Colleen Yates, Regional Development Australia – Perth

Colleen is the CEO with Regional Development Australia Perth, working with the 29 local government areas to work collaboratively by delivering Driving Change: Perth and Peel an Economic Development Strategy and Infrastructure Priorities Plan for Perth and Peel. This project brought consistent and informed input from all spheres of government, community and industry. Also, to be released in late October 2017 is: Security and Defence in Western Australia: An Economic Perspective, which provides a fresh and comprehensive assessment on current and future opportunities for WA’s expanding defence sector.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

John Meldrum, Engineering Manager – Sustainment Maritime, BAE Systems Australia

John is a senior executive with over 30 years experience in the naval and marine sector. During his career he has held positions as the Senior Naval Engineer for the Royal New Zealand Navy, Project Manager for a range of Defence projects, Chief Engineer of the ANZAC Systems Program Office and Head of Engineering of the ANZAC Alliance Delivery Organisation. He is currently the Chief Engineer for the Maritime Division of BAE Systems Australia, which includes the responsibility as the Engineering Manager of the facility at Henderson.

Erich Hofmann, Managing Director, Hofmann Engineering

Erich is the Managing Director of Hofmann Engineering, a family-owned company that was founded in 1969, which provides specialised engineering services to Australian and international customers. The Company is the largest gear manufacturer in Australia and stakes a claim to exporting the world’s largest gear to China. Erich has presided over the rapid growth of the Company over the last decade, diversifying into aerospace, cement, Defence, gearing, manufacturing, mining, and rail. This has culminated in the purchase of additional branches in Australia, namely Bendigo, Melbourne and Newcastle, and overseas with operations in Canada, Chile, China, India and Peru.

Darshi Ganesan-Oats, Strategic Partnerships, South Metro TAFE

Darshi Ganeson-Oats is Director Strategic Partnerships at South Metropolitan TAFE (SMTAFE) in WA. Darshi has oversight of the College’s commercial activity including vocational training and workforce development solutions with key partners both onshore and offshore. Darshi has contractual oversight of the Collins Class Submarines Training program with ASC and has worked with major clients in Abu Dhabi, Mauritius, Kazakhstan, Brazil, China and Indonesia. Darshi is a member a of TAFE International WA’s Offshore Commercial Framework Committee developing sector wide best practices in establishing vocational education and training offshore; SMTAFE’s Maritime Industry Advisory Committee; the Peel Workforce Development Alliance Committee as well as the Transform Peel Project Committee steering the planning for regional development.

Professor Erika Techera, Director, Oceans Institute, UWA

Erika is an international and comparative lawyer focusing on oceans governance. She has broad expertise in marine environmental and natural resources law, including addressing fragmentation across regimes and effective domestic implementation, monitoring and enforcement. Her specific research interests lie at the intersection of law and science, technology and innovation, including use of remote sensing for policing illegal ocean activities, regulatory frameworks for decommissioning offshore infrastructure and legal regimes to address marine bio-security, waste and pollution hazards.