Two important events, one in Perth and the other Sydney, demonstrate the scale and capability of WA’s defence community, while November 11 was a time for reflection.
The early weeks of November contained two notable events for Western Australia’s defence industry.
The first was the annual WA Defence Industry Gala Dinner with 680 guests.
This event is coordinated by not-forprofit industry associations Henderson Alliance and the Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN).
It attracts attendees from across the sector, including industry large and small, academia, think tanks, training and education, politicians, state and federal government agencies, ADF personnel in uniform, and veterans.
Touted as a celebration of the sector, the event certainly delivers. For context, defence industry gala dinners are held around the country, in every state and territory, and the WA event is double the size of any other, including the national event in Canberra.
It sends a powerful signal about the scale and strength of the WA defence community that resonates across the country.
This is possible for two notable features. Firstly, in WA, this is not just an AIDN event. From the onset, the intention was to share this with the whole community.
As such, Henderson Alliance has been a critical element in the success of the event alongside AIDN, setting an example of cohesion.
Secondly, the event is not congested with agenda-filled speeches, although of course some official recognition of the sector is welcome.
This year, Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia provided a well-timed address on his continued optimism around AUKUS and what it means for the WA sector.
“This effort by the state government to support defence industry companies illustrates our commitment to diversifying the WA economy and to realising the opportunities presented to WA as a result of AUKUS,” Mr Papalia said.
The week following the gala dinner was the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition in Sydney, which included a record attendance by WA companies supported by Defence West. The event positions itself as the region’s premier commercial maritime and naval defence exposition.
Credit must also go to Mr Papalia, who recognised the need to assist businesses in demonstrating their capability at major events in defence.
The impact of the Defence West support is that more companies can participate, their visibility is greatly enhanced, and they gain immediate creditability as a result of the government and collective association.
It is far more favourable, and considerably cheaper, than being tucked away in a small corner of an exhibition hall.
WA defence advocate Philip Spedding (rear admiral rtd) reflected on WA’s trade show presence and the growth of the sector.
“WA has a long and proud history of supporting defence in its mission to protect Australians and keep us safe,” Mr Spedding said.
“Since Defence West was established in 2017, the WA defence industry sector has gone from strength to strength. In the last three years alone, the industry has won contracts worth over four billion dollars and is positioned to be a major beneficiary from the AUKUS deal via the support to allied and Australian nuclear submarines.
“This year’s WA defence industry delegation to the Indo-Pacific Maritime Exposition in Sydney was the largest WA has ever assembled, highlighting the strength of our capability and our commitment to the industry.
“Over 40 companies participated in the event, including Franmarine, Onetide, Innovaero and Blacktree Technology, who have pioneered innovative platforms and solutions to on-going defence problems.”
Among all this celebration and growth, I’m conscious of the fact that, between this edition and my previous column, Remembrance Day has passed.
It is therefore an appropriate moment to reflect on why this unity across our sector matters, and why the growth of our industry matters, too.
It all contributes to supporting the brave people in the Australian Defence Force that defend our nation.
To those that have defended our nation in the past, the words from the Ode of Remembrance, taken from the Laurence Binyon poem For the Fallen, are always relevant.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
• Kristian Constantinides is the general manager of Airflite, and chairperson of AIDN-WA; the opinions expressed are purely his own
