COMMENTARY
By RADM Raydon Gates AO CSM (Rtd), former WA Defence Advocate
WEST COAST DEFENCE
ADVOCATING FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S DEFENCE SECTOR: REFLECTING ON THE FIRST FOUR YEARS As I have now completed my four-year term as the inaugural Defence Advocate for Western Australia, there is much to reflect on. It seems a long time ago that the Australian Government released the 2016 Defence White Paper and the associated Defence Integrated Investment Program and Defence Industry Policy Statement.
ALIGNING WITH DEFENCE PLANS The DIPS provided the foundation for greater levels of cooperation between Defence and industry, to ensure defence capability needs met the comprehensive long-term plan for Australia’s defence, as set out in the White Paper. This commitment was buttressed by a large investment to modernise Australia’s Defence capability.
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Noting that half of the Royal Australian Navy fleet is based in Perth, the 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan states that apart from the highly technical future frigate and submarine projects, the other future navy (and possibly army) vessels will be built in WA. Importantly, the maintenance and sustainment work will continue to be done in the west. The WA government has made significant financial commitments and commenced a strategic infrastructure and land use plan at Henderson to ensure WA will meet the challenges required to conduct this ongoing critical work, including workforce skills and training.
In early 2017, the newly elected McGowan government set out a plan to diversify the WA economy and identified the defence industry as a priority area to support this plan. Minister Paul Papalia assumed responsibility for the new Defence Issues (now Defence Industry) portfolio, and in May 2017 the Office of Defence West was established. Three months later, I was appointed by Premier Mark McGowan as the inaugural WA Defence Advocate to represent the interests of the state on behalf of local industry, and help attract Defence opportunities to the state, so as to deliver projects in support of the ADF. To meet the Premier and Minister’s request to actually define what WA’s defence industry capacities were, the small team of three at Defence West, plus myself (with much additional assistance) conducted an audit and produced the state’s first Defence Industry Capabilities Directory. Further, and most importantly, MAJGEN Jeff Sengelman (Rtd) drafted the 2018 Western Australian Defence and Defence Industries Strategic Plan - the first time a WA government had committed to such a plan. As well as supporting a strong defence presence (including veterans), growing capability (including skills and training) and expanding infrastructure, the plan led to the formation of the important Defence Science Centre. This plan stands today.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT A mature organisation slowly grew. Senior leadership positions were appointed to both Defence West and the Defence Science Centre. Specialist attention could now be applied to infrastructure development, strategy and governance, defence industry development and veterans’ issues. There was increased engagement with the nearly 300 SMEs in WA’s defence industry community, and increased collaboration with the ‘Team WA’ universities, including training and skills development institutions. Over time, early established working groups matured into the Defence Advisory Forum, which EDITION 4 • 2021-22
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