Minister for Defence Announces - Defence Transformation Strategy
With the unprecedented amount of additional funding, attention and scrutiny placed on Defence and Defence contracts in the past twelve months, becoming a supplier in the Defence Industry continues to be a smart and rewarding decision.
Last week there was another positive sign from Government when Australia's Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC released the new Defence Transformation Strategy - Lead the Way.
What does it mean?
Lead the Way: Defence Transformation Strategy provides the vision and framework for long-term, enterprise-wide transformation. Continuous transformation will enhance Defence’s capacity to continually adapt as our strategic circumstances change (downloads below).
The new Defence Transformation Strategy provides Defence with the vision and framework for long-term, enterprise-wide transformation.
The 2020 Defence Strategic Update identifies that Australia’s security environment has deteriorated. Major power competition, military modernisation, disruptive technological change and new threats are all making our region less safe. As the strategic environment changes around us, we have to change with it.
Defence, as a matter of necessity, must continue to improve its ability to deliver on its current commitments while retaining the organisational capacity to anticipate and respond effectively to strategic challenges.
We recognise that the Defence enterprise is a strategic national asset, and we are responsible for it.
Just as we raise, train and sustain our military capabilities and our uniformed people, we must also ensure our enterprise can always adapt to our changing strategic environment.
This requires a high-performing One Defence enterprise with a culture that embraces continuous improvement.
Defence must lead the way in clearly demonstrating our ability to deliver our enterprise outcomes, and to provide maximum value to the people of Australia.
This means that we must have the ability to:
- Learn about our environment, our risks, our opportunities, and our own performance
- Evolve how we operate our enterprise, support and develop our people, and deepen our partnerships
- Align our priorities, our processes, our systems, and how we engage and communicate inside and outside Defence, and
- Deliver the Defence Mission and strategic effects, through our capabilities, our services, and by clearly demonstrating Defence’s value to the nation.
To achieve this ability, we require:
- A continuous improvement culture, based on our Values and Behaviours, clear accountabilities and trusted information.
- An enduring system for transforming the Defence enterprise – this will be a continuous process to align resources to priorities, reform activities, opportunities and risks in accordance with our evolving strategy.
- Priority reform areas of focus, which includes:
- Driving Improved Capability Delivery.
- Strengthening Defence’s approach to Australian Industry capability, including innovation, export and harnessing opportunities from Australian science and technology.
- Adopting a strategic approach to Defence enterprise resilience and supply chain assurance.
- Improving Defence’s Strategic Workforce Planning, Learning and Management.
- Instituting an improved enterprise performance measurement and reporting framework.
- Improving Defence engagement and communications.
The initiatives in this Strategy will help us to work together as One Defence to continuously improve and adapt to face our challenges.
Webinar with Australian Space Agency - How To Get Involved in The Space Industry
Come and hear how SMEs can best position for success in the Australian Space Industry on Thursday, 3rd December from the 10.00am-12.00pm.
In this webinar, the Australian Space Agency will deliver updates on pathways into the space industry.
The Australian Space Agency exists to:
- coordinate civil space matters across government
- support the growth and transformation of Australia’s space industry
The session will be introduced by ADA-Vic CEO Sean Farrell and Victoria's Chief Scientist, Dr Amanda Caples.
The Timetable:
10.00 - 10.10 Welcome and Introduction CEO ADA-Vic Sean Farrell and Dr Amanda Caples (Victoria’s Lead Scientist)
10.10 - 10.40 Australian Space Agency Moon To Mars - Supply Chain
10.50 - 11.10 Australian Space Agency Demonstrator Program
11.10 - 11.35 Meet the member(s)
11.35 - 11.50 Q&A session and discussion
11.50 - 12.00 Concluding remarks
12.00 - Event concludes
Please Register here
If you have any difficulties registering, please contact ADA/VDA, ON 03 8658 5707 OR SEND AN EMAIL TO: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Defence Aerospace Update with CASG, DST & RUAG (23rd Nov)
Our Next Event = 23rd of November @10am
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VDA is a Victorian Government sponsored program managed by ADA-Vic. This is a VDA event, which ADA-Vic, members are invited to attend.
Hear from CASG, DST & RUAG, register here |
13th November - Latest Defence News from ADA-Vic
To view the "Latest news from ADA-Vic" from the 13th November please click here to open it in the browser.
CDIC Grants Re-Open
Last month, Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, announced a range of changes to CDIC grant programs to provide greater support for Australia’s defence industry.
These grant programs have been closed for 2 weeks to implement the changes, and are reopening today. Key changes include increases in minimum and maximum grant funding and lowering of the co-contribution requirement for industry.
If you have a draft application open for any of the following grant programs, you will need to restart your application under the new guidelines:
- Capability Improvement Grant
- Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grant
- Defence Global Competitiveness Grant
You can access your draft application until 10 December 2020 for the purposes of copying data to a new application
For more information please see the CDIC defence industry grants page HERE
Grant - Space Infrastructure Fund (Space Payload Qualification Facilities)
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More information on the overall Space Funding Opportunities HERE
Apply HERE
ASIO - Think Before You Link (new awareness campaign)
ASIO has just released a new awareness campaign called Think Before You Link (TBYL)
The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of this threat, as well as to provide advice on how to reduce risk and respond to suspicious approaches.
The campaign is primarily directed at Australians who have access to sensitive information, particularly those working in government, defence industry or academia.
But the campaign has a broader public safety message to alert all Australians to the threat. It provides practical tips on how Australians can protect themselves and report suspicious online approaches.
The ASIO website (asio.gov.au) hosts a Think Before You Link page with the following resources:
- the Director-General’s introductory video clip;
- an animation;
- four printable booklets/flyers—Guide for organisations (booklet), Online networking guide (booklet), Case study (booklet), Online networking guide (flyer);
- two printable briefing packs—Senior managers and security manager/adviser briefing pack, Staff briefing pack;
- eight posters; and
- a wallet card.
Please visit our website (here) to explore these resources, which have been developed for both individuals and organisations to use, and feel free to share our message with colleagues, friends and family.”
2020 Defence and Security Symposium (8th of December)
Tuesday 8th of December @ 9am
Deakin University is hosting this year’s Defence and Security Symposium!
Due to the continuing Covid-19 situation, it’s now virtual meaning anyone can attend... and it’s free of charge.
The half day symposium theme is Sovereign capability and threats in a dynamically changing world.
There is an impressive line-up of speakers.
Background to the event and registrations details HERE
The Defence White Paper recognises that a close collaboration between Defence, Industry and Academia is vital to the security of Australia. In the process this collaboration also works to foster game changing innovation and commercialisation opportunities.
The Defence and Security Symposium (DSS) is an annual event which brings together participants from defence, industry and academia to exchange ideas and information and to connect with decision makers from Defence, academic researchers and industry capability developers.
This symposium aims to bring together subject matter experts from government, industry, and academic to discuss challenges and opportunities in establishing sovereign capabilities pertaining to Defence and Security for Australia.
The symposium topics encompass strategic and operational issues related to government priority, industrial complexity, and research intricacy on sovereign defence and security capabilities in the land, sea, air, space and cyber domains. With rapid advances in smart technologies, the emerging and disruptive cyber-physical threats toward the established sovereign capabilities stand as one of the critical problems to be addressed.
During the symposium, subject matter experts will share expertise and experience, and shed light on policies, strategies, and technologies to undertake the near-, medium-, and long-term challenges in ensuring sustainability of sovereign defence and security capabilities of Australia as well as in defying the ongoing and imminent threats in today’s dynamically changing world.
Please register in advance for this webinar.
Register HERE
Event: UK-Australia Cyber Security in Space (Nov 30 - Dec 2)
The UK-Australia Cyber Security in Space Workshop series, presented by the Satellite Applications Catapult and the British High Commission to Australia, will run from Monday 30 November to Wednesday 2 December, with one-hour online sessions each day and a virtual networking event to close.
These workshops are intended to encourage Australian – UK business engagement and awareness in Cybersecurity and to highlight the opportunities that this area presents in the International Space Sector. Through facilitated discussions with experts in the field, companies will gain knowledge of the current Space-Cybersecurity nexus and the associated cross-sector opportunities (collaborative and commercial) in, and between, the UK and Australia.
Participants will hear from Space and Cybersecurity advisors, Industry primes, and end users. With three speakers from both Australia and UK followed by facilitated group discussions in separate breakout rooms, attendees will be able to have meaningful discussions around the speakers’ experiences and perceptions and identify possible opportunities.
Supporting increased bi-lateral business to business engagements and guided by sector leaders, these workshops facilitate international collaborative partnerships and projects between the UK and Australia.
Sign up HERE
Day 1: Space and Cybersecurity - The current Picture
Monday 30 November 2020 (0800 BST; 1900 AEDT; 1830 ACDT; 1700 AWDT)
This session will provide context to the workshop series by describing the current global space-cybersecurity conjunction, the types of threats that the space sector faces and the implications of a ‘do nothing’ approach.
Speakers:
- Steph Lysaght - Consul General for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania
- Patricia Lewis – Director, International Security Department, Chatham House
- Rajiv Shah – Fellow, Australian Strategic Policy Institute & Managing Director, MDR Security
Day 2: Space and Cybersecurity - What Needs to be Done
Tuesday 1 December 2020 (0800 BST; 1900 AEDT; 1830 ACDT; 1700 AWDT)
Following on from the scene setting in the previous session, this segment will explore national and international strategies to mitigate cyber related risks and create an understanding of the respective roles of government and industry in developing space-cybersecurity capacity.
Speakers:
- David Livingstone – Director, Napier Meridian
Day 3: UK and Australia - Joint Capacity Building
Wednesday 2 December 2020 (0800 BST; 1900 AEDT; 1830 ACDT; 1700 AWDT)
The final session in the series will seek to identify joint UK - AUS pathways that can be exploited to build cybersecurity capacity in respective space infrastructures. A networking session will help join the right people to the right people from both countries.
Speakers:
- Kevin McLoughlin – Head of Space Security, UKSA
- Daniel O’Toole – Senior Advisor – Space Industry, Austrade / ASA
- Steph Lysaght - Consul General for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania
Sign up HERE
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Speaker Biographies
Daniel O’Toole – Senior Advisor – Space Industry, Austrade / ASA
In addition to his role at Austrade, Daniel has also served as a partial secondee at the Australian Space Agency since 2018. In this capacity, he works on joint Austrade-Space Agency initiatives that help promote the growth of the Australian space industry through international market programs and opportunities.
Over the past three years in this role, Daniel has worked closely with both the Australian space industry to build international partnerships, and also helped international space investors understand the opportunities Australia presents.
New Payment Times Reporting Scheme
The government is introducing the Payment Times Reporting Scheme (PTRS) to improve payment outcomes for small businesses commencing 1 January 2021. The PTRS will create transparency around the payment practices of large business entities.
The scheme requires large businesses (>$100 million turnover) to report twice per year on their payment terms and practices for their small business suppliers.
The PTRS affects:
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large businesses and large government enterprises with a total annual income of over $100 million
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controlling corporations where the combined total annual income for all members is more than $100 million
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businesses with a total annual income of at least $10 million that are part of a group headed by a controlling corporation with a collective income greater than $100 million.
If your business falls into one of these categories, you will be required to report on the payment terms and practices for your small business suppliers.
You will need to submit a Payment Times Report with the payment information for your business. Reports will be submitted twice a year in line with your financial year reporting.
We’re developing an online reporting system to assist you to meet the PTRS reporting requirements.
This will include a Small Business Identification Tool. This tool will enable you to identify the small business suppliers you will need to report on. In identifying small business suppliers, the PTRS will draw on a taxation legislation definition of small business as those entities with an annual turnover of less than $10 million.
The Regulator
The Australian Government is establishing the Payment Times Reporting Regulator. The Regulator will administer the PTRS and publish the submitted reports on an online public register.
The Regulator will focus on raising awareness and assisting businesses to transition into the PTRS during the first year. Following a transition period, the Regulator will exercise monitoring and investigation powers and will be able to enforce compliance with the reporting requirements.
The Regulator must register payment times reports on a publicly available register- the Payment Times Reports Register. If the Regulator is satisfied that a reporting entity has failed to comply with the Act, the Regulator may publish the identity of the entity, or details of the entity’s non- compliance, on the register. Significant civil penalties apply to reporting entities that fail to report or give the Regulator a false or misleading report. The civil penalty regime does not apply in the first 12 months of the Scheme to allow entities time to adjust to the requirements of the PTRS.
Key dates
Key implementation dates of the PTRS and the first reporting timeframe:
- November 2020
- December 2020
- 1 January 2021
- 1 July - 31 September 2021
Preparing to report
Businesses create a profile for the reporting system Small Business Identification Tool released
PTRS reporting period begins
Businesses submit first reports
To prepare to report under the PTRS, please complete the attached online form.
This will create your entity profile for the reporting system. Once we have your profile details in the reporting system, we will update you on the status of the system, streamline the process for logging in for the first time and remind you when you need to act.
Please complete this form by 30 November 2020.
All information collected via this form will be used solely for the government’s administration of PTRS and will not be disclosed to any third party, in accordance with the department’s Privacy Policy. We have data protection measures in place to protect all information provided to us under the PTRS. www.industry.gov.au
Contact us
Further information on the PTRS is available here
You can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or business.gov.au on 13 28 46 (select option 1 government grants, programs and services).
While the onus is on businesses to comply with the legislative requirements of the PTRS we are able to support you in your compliance. If you believe your business is not required to report under the PTRS and has been identified in error, then we encourage you to provide us with evidence in support of this so that we can update our records.
If the evidence is clear that you are outside the scheme then we will update our system records accordingly. This would mean you would not be contacted further in relation to obligations under the PTRS unless our view changes. This will not affect your obligation to report if your status changes. Given the civil penalty regime that accompanies the PTRS and the onus on business to comply we would also encourage you to obtain independent professional advice.
We look forward to working with you to assist you to meet the reporting requirements under PTRS. We also look forward to working together to improve payment times for small businesses and to support them to thrive. This is particularly important in these challenging times.
Yours sincerely
Peter Cully
Head of Division
Small and Family Business
More...
A.S.P.I. Special Submarine Report - The Australian Program
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in relation to the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering any form of professional or other advice or services. No person should rely on the contents of this publication without first obtaining advice from a qualified professional.
The Australian Government is firmly committed to keeping Australians safe while protecting our country’s interests in a changing global environment. Being a credible and effective military power in the midst of the most consequential strategic realignment since World War II is a complex task in our nation’s strategic circumstances. Around 300 submarines will be operating in the Indo-Pacific by 2030, so Australia must continue to have credible defence capabilities that can contribute to regional and global security. Integrating multiple capabilities, such as submarines, frigates, helicopters and intelligence systems, into an undersea war-fighting system will give the ADF the necessary depth and resilience to prosecute antisubmarine operations. Our current fleet of Collins-class submarines and their crews are serving our nation with distinction.
Submarines are a vital element of our defence strategy and are essential in protecting those interests. Their substantial firepower, stealth, endurance and sustained presence give Australia a unique advantage: to strike without warning and inflict significant damage to adversaries. The Collins class is the world’s most capable conventionally powered submarine, achieving significant operational results of which Australians can be proud.
To further advance regional security and the prosperity that we have today, a larger, stronger and more formidable undersea force is needed in the future. To be able to operate far forward with a sustained presence in the Indo-Pacific and to deliver assured access and sea control, we must invest in a more substantial denial capability. The government’s decision to build 12 regionally superior Attack-class submarines in Australia is ambitious but necessary.
Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC Minister for Defence
I commend Peter Jennings and Marcus Hellyer for assembling the team of authors who produced this ASPI Special Report, "Submarines: Your questions answered"
This is a plain-English guide to the complexities of Australia’s submarine program. While the government doesn’t endorse all of the contributions aired in this study, it’s important that critical nation-building programs such as our submarine program are subjected to robust and broad analysis. ASPI provides many different perspectives on the submarine program in this report. I trust that the report will generate further public interest in and awareness of this vital capability.
Full report is available for download below
Government initiated 'Personal Protective Equipment Buyers Guide'
The Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) COVID Response Taskforce has developed a PPE Buyers Guide to assist organisations when purchasing PPE for COVID-19.
The guide has been designed to address the uncertainty which has been seen from consumers when buying PPE and build their confidence to purchase PPE from local suppliers. Your assistance with passing on this guide to your networks would be greatly appreciated.
The four-page guide covers key information consumers need to know when purchasing PPE, including;
- Information on how PPE is regulated
- Information on common types of PPE and how they are used
- Tips to avoid fraud
- Information on consumer rights
- Information on WHS duties
View the DISER website here
A copy of the guide is available for download below
Hanwha setting up in Geelong
THE big Defence programs for which Geelong is in the running will generate additional sustainment activities worth tens of billions of dollars.
Already in prime position to be the base for a $1bn self-propelled howitzer program, which may be extended by a couple of billion dollars before the end of the decade, Geelong is also a 50:50 chance to become home to an infantry fighting vehicle program that has soared in estimated cost to $18bn-$27bn. On top of that, the company pursuing the programs, Hanwha Defense Australia, is planning to make its future Geelong facility an alternative sustainment and supply chain base for it global family of K9 howitzers.
Victorian Defence Industry Advocate John O’Callaghan said if Hanwha was successful in being awarded the programs, the supply chain opportunities would likely see existing Defence industry suppliers grow into significantly larger players. Mr O’Callaghan said that as a general guide, sustainment of a Defence program was about 2-3 times the value of the initial acquisition. “You are talking about two or three decades of activity by those platforms, which requires substantial maintenance and including ongoing upgrades,” he said.
Hanwha is assessing sites in and around Geelong, including the former Ford factory, to house the Land 8116 Protected Mobile Fires program for which it has been announced as the preferred tenderer for its K9 howitzer variant, called the AS9 Huntsman.
Read more in the full article from the Geelong Advertiser attached below.
Land Division 'Land and Environment Working Group' update
Simon Stuart, MAJGEN Head Land Capability, has written to formally advise of Army's decision to postpone the conduct of a Land Environment Working Group (LEWG) until second quarter, 2021.
This decision has been informed by ongoing COVID-19 restrictions which limit physical attendance, and feedback received from some elements of Industry on the relative value of virtual engagements. In the interim, I am pleased to inform you that the Chief of Army has released Edition Two of Army's Contribution to Defence Strategy (ACDS), available online at www.army.gov.au
ACDS Edition Two aims to create a shared understanding of how Army contributes to the Australian Defence Force and to Australia's national security. ACDS is informed by the Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure Plan 2020 and will help guide Army concepts, workforce and training to generate greater capacity and capability.
Please see attached letter from MAJGEN Simon Stuart, Head Land Capability, on the scheduling of the next Land Environment Working Group, and release of Army’s Contribution to Defence Strategy Edition 2.
