A new $21.2 million national defence industry innovation centre has opened-up in Dandenong, Victoria, providing technological and business assistance to Australian defence sector firms.
The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, and the Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, Greg Combet AM MP, attended the official launch of the centre, called the Enterprise Connect Defence Industry Innovation Centre.
The new Centre is designed to assist Australian defence sector businesses respond to the unique challenges they face, including the very high demand for technological innovation.
“The Government recognises that businesses across Australia operate in an increasingly integrated international marketplace. A key challenge in responding to this is their capacity to develop strategies to become more competitive in the global community,” Senator Carr said.
“Through this Centre, the Rudd Government is working with defence industry businesses to provide the tools and advice they need to become more productive, innovative and dynamic.”
Combet said that the Department of Defence developed the Centre with the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
“The new Centre offers a range of hands-on services for small to medium enterprises in the defence industry sector, including free business reviews and supporting grants to help boost productivity and support the Australian Defence Force (ADF),” Mr Combet said.
“The total Defence investment of $21.2 million shows the Rudd Government’s strong commitment to supporting Australia’s defence sector.
“It will help support defence small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to produce innovative products for the ADF and break into global supply chains.”
The Centre will be under the expert stewardship of Tony Quick, Centre Director and Chris Jenkins, current managing director of Thales, as Interim Advisory Board Chair.