Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I recently visited Kinexus, a business operating in the seaside town of Middleton in my electorate. Kinexus is a national recruitment and workforce consultancy firm, connecting employees with employers in defence industry organisations across Australia. Basing Kinexus in Middleton not only is a wonderful success story for regional Australia but also demonstrates that, in today's highly connected world, location is not a deterrent in establishing a business with a national footprint.

I toured the new office and had wonderful conversations with Toby and Tristan, who are Royal Australian Navy veterans; Mel, Andrew and Lee, who are Australian Army veterans; and Kelly and Kylie. The office has grown from a one-person enterprise, with Toby operating out of a house, to an office with seven on the main street. Kinexus is one of an increasing number of specialist businesses that are creating incredibly important jobs that encourage people to live outside of city centres. I have no doubt that the future of Kinexus is bright. South Australia is the defence state of the nation, employing 11,348 people and exporting $2 billion per annum, and is home to seven of the world's top defence companies. I thank Toby and his team for their warm welcome and wish Kinexus every success.