An independent review of the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) will aim to strengthen support for small and regional businesses to take up opportunities in Australia’s growing defence industry.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price released the Terms of Reference for the review.
“The CDIC is a key initiative of the 2016 Defence White Paper, which was formed to help grow a competitive, sustainable defence industry base,” Minister Price said. “I have been listening carefully to feedback from defence companies across Australia and I am determined to help a great industry to grow stronger.
“The CDIC is often referred to as the front door for service support for local defence companies. I want to throw those doors wide open and this review aims to help us to achieve that. We’ll be engaging defence companies on ways to boost this help.”
Co-chairs of the CDIC Advisory Board Kate Carnell, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Tony Fraser, Deputy Secretary of CASG, will lead the review.
The co-chairs will release a discussion paper seeking views from industry which will be used to inform the review and its recommendations to Government.
The CDIC service is delivered by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources on behalf of Defence and it will be consulted as part of the review.
The review and its recommendations will be delivered to the Minister mid-year.
ADM Comment: Despite the Minister saying the review of the CDIC is ‘independent’, one would have to question how independent such a review is when it is being run by the chairs of the organisation to be reviewed.