• Credit: ADM
    Credit: ADM
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There was a split between two of Australia's largest defence industry advocacy groups last week as SA's Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) withdrew from the national body of the Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN) during the annual general meeting of the latter in Canberra.

Effective 20th March 2018, the DTC will cease to fulfil its role as AIDN’s SA state chapter, and will withdraw as a member of AIDN.

In a release, AIDN thanked the DTC for it’s long-standing support of SME’s within SA on behalf of AIDN’s national network.

“The DTC’s decision to withdraw from our network has been accepted and we wish them well for the future,” national president Rob Forbes said.

AIDN reaffirmed its commitment to represent the large number of SME suppliers on a national basis in support of the Australian Defence and Security Forces, citing a growing national membership as proof of its success.

“AIDN National has been working hard to establish a single voice on behalf of all members nationally and continues to work with various representative bodies and state and federal government organisations to ensure that we too are adapting to the new order of true collaboration to build the necessary capacity of our industrial base in support of key Defence Programs.”

The DTC, which now counts almost 300 businesses, consisting of prime defence contractors, SMEs, and professional service providers among its members, issued a members’ notice declaring that given the “significant opportunities now on the horizon”, it was now critical that it adopt a strong national voice.

In response to repeated member calls for the Centre to extend its services beyond the borders of SA, the DTC had conducted a member and stakeholder survey late last year, with the result validating such a move.

In the member notice, DTC CEO Margot Forster wrote: “Increasingly, we have found that DTC’s role as the SA based chapter of AIDN conflicts with the DTC’s national focus and reach. This has not been in the best interest of our members.”

It would continue, on behalf of its members, to foster the many relationships it had developed with key defence industry stakeholders over the years.

“While DTC will cease to be a member of AIDN we will of course continue to collaborate with AIDN as we seek to achieve and deliver the best outcome for our industry.”

AIDN said it “welcomes and supports the commitment of the DTC to continue to develop a collaborative relationship into the future”.

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