Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The electorate of Spence is a hub of innovation. Each and every day in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, some of the most impressive technology work in the country happens in our backyard. Perhaps more importantly, that work in our community serves as an unlocked door of opportunity for people in the north, giving our future innovators a chance to gain valuable skills in advanced manufacturing and beyond and to make their mark in the present. BAE Systems Australia at the Edinburgh Parks facility is a prime example of a manufacturer doing exactly that. I was fortunate enough to pay them a visit alongside the Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and Northern Australia, the member for Solomon, last week. We were honoured to meet advanced manufacturing apprentices on the ground, like Hayley, Damon and Dhanush. Hayley spoke of the warm family-like environment that's being fostered for young apprentices like herself at BAE. Damon loves the ability to apply mathematical skills to deliver innovative engineering solutions. Dhanush appreciated the fact that everything is a learning opportunity, with apprentices encouraged to be the best versions of themselves. The experiences of these fine young apprentices are just the tip of the iceberg at BAE, where members of our community are making an invaluable contribution to our national security through their own rewarding innovation in a welcoming environment. I say to all of you: keep up the great work down there at Edinburgh Parks.

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