Minister for Defence Materiel and Science Greg Combet has released the Federal Government's Defence Industry Statement, Building Defence Capability: A Policy for a Smarter and More Agile Defence Industry Base.
"The policy outlines over $445 million of Government programs that industry can access to improve their competitiveness, their capacity for innovation, their ability to enter export markets, their opportunity to win work locally and the skills of their workforce," Combet said at the launch of the document at the Australian Industry Group's Canberra office.
The policy is based on four key principles:
* Setting clear investment priorities
* Establishing a stronger Defence
* Seeking opportunities for growth
* Building skills, innovation and productivity
The launch also saw the announcement of new bodies and programs to implement the paper.
"The new $44.9 million Priority Industry Capability (PIC) Innovation Program will provide funding to companies to encourage innovation in the area of PICs," Combet said. "Under this Program companies will be encouraged to submit innovation proposals relating to PICs to attract funding."
"The Defence Industry Innovation Board will better coordinate the innovation programs that are available to industry. This board will feature representatives from both Defence and industry and will oversee the PIC Innovation Program."
"The $59.9 million Global Supply Chain (GSC) Program will facilitate opportunities for Australian defence industry to compete in the defence primes' global supply chains. The Government is strongly committed to helping Australian companies win work around the world."
"The Australian Industry Capability (AIC) Implementation Unit will improve implementation of AIC policy within Defence and to audit System Project Offices to ensure AIC plans in contracts are delivered."
Over the next five years, the Government plans to:
* Invest $292.8 million in innovation, boosting productivity and skills development in the Australian defence industry;
* Create more than 7,500 training opportunities under programs such the Skilling Australia's Defence Industry, Defence Technical Scholarships, Master of Systems Integration, Masters of Systems Support Engineering and other programs; and
* Provide up to $188.8 million in funding towards defence innovation.
Combet said that skills and innovation were key drivers of productivity and the Government's investment would better position Australia's defence industry in the global market.
"Australia's defence industry cannot maximise its productivity and its competitiveness without increasing its capacity for invention and discovery," Combet said.
"The Government investment in skills, innovation and productivity will ensure the sector has the best chance of competing against others around the world."
Combet affirmed that the government has no plans for any offsets for Australian defence industry as he cited international cases where such programs had been ineffective.
A copy of the statement can be downloaded at http://www.dplusi.defence.gov.au/