The Federal Government is acting to protect the rapidly growing $24 billion-a-year offshore oil and gas industry from terrorist and piracy attacks.

The defence industry in Australia has been left in no doubt that it faces increased rigour by the Commonwealth in the oversight of Projects of Concern, as well as a stronger overall focus on program schedule, business relationships and resources.

The Government has given First Pass Approval for three major Defence capability projects estimated to involve expenditure of between $500 million and around $1 billion.

Defence materiel minister Jason Clare has updated the ADM2011 Congress on work on the Projects of Concern and the Defence Capability Plan.

Defence has cancelled the Thales-built LCM2000 Watercraft project, involving the construction of six watercraft for HMA Ships Kanimbla and Manoora.

The Projects of Concern list was established in 2008 to focus the attention of Defence and industry on remediating listed projects.

ADM rarely publishes complete speeches from Defence or Industry figures but the recent Land Warfare Conference (LWC) presentation from Head of Army Modernisation and Strategic Planning Major General John Caligari is the exception to the rule.

Shortly before Christmas, minister for defence Stephen Smith released the second update to the 2009 Defence Capability Plan (DCP).

Minister for defence materiel Jason Clare officially opened the $35 million expansion of the Monegeeta Proving Ground Complex in November.

The Government released an updated and enhanced Public Defence Capability Plan (DCP) on December 17, 2010.

MAJGEN John Caligari, Head of Modernisation and Strategic Planning - Army, made a refreshingly frank address to the 2010 Land Warfare Conference.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith has outlined to the Defence Senior Leadership Group that the culture within the department needs to change.

Australian service personnel are waiting up to 10 years for new technology according to the Australian National Audit Office report on major projects for 2009-2010.

Defence has begun consultation with industry on the implementation of the historic Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty with the US on Wednesday 1 December.

The Australia-US Treaty on Defense Trade Cooperation will provide greater access and sharing of equipment, technology, information and services.

For the first time since its creation in 2008, an updated and complete list of Defence’s Projects of Concern (PoC) – also known as the name and shame list – has been publically released, together with brief explanations.