Shadow Minister for Defence Richard Marles has visited DECO Australia at their manufacturing facility in Minto, NSW.
Marles toured DECO’s facility to observe firsthand their defence capabilities, including surface finishing, protective coatings and non-combustible aluminium building products.
DECO founder and director Ross Doonan met with the Deputy Opposition Leader to discuss defence procurement policies and advocate for greater inclusion of local SMEs in 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.”
Key discussion items included the importance of recognising Australian manufacturers in crucial defence projects, the vital need for government to assist SMEs in overcoming barriers to trading with Prime Contractors, such creating pathways to assist them in achieving accreditation with Primes, as well as reviewing the Australian Industry Capability program to increase its benefits to SMEs.
Also discussed was the urgency of providing stronger protections for the Intellectual Property of Australian businesses to prevent inventions being plagiarised by overseas suppliers and lower-quality alternatives usurping quality Australian product offerings.
Minister Marles and Mr Doonan also discussed the need to strengthen local supply chains and for defence to support the capabilities and solutions Australian SMEs can provide.