Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to pay tribute to MakerSpace, an Army initiative providing a place for education in innovative approaches, creative thinking and agile methodologies. This is about soldiers solving soldier's problems. MakerSpace improves the Army's ability to think differently to challenge the status quo and innovate in preparation for the Army's future challenges. It equips all ranks and APS members with non-traditional problem solving skills, and it is helping to improve retention. 'MakerSpace is now my reason for coming to work,' one private at the 1st Brigade in Darwin remarked. A corporal in 9th Brigade observed: 'The reason I like utilising the MakerSpace facility is because it gives me the time, freedom and knowledge to be more than just a basic infantry soldier. It allows me to utilise my creative side and come up with fixes and improvements for equipment that we can make better for the greater Defence Force.'

Over 25,000 soldiers have joined MakerSpace so far, and they have reported 95 per cent user satisfaction. The organisation also employs 12 veterans. I want to congratulate MakerSpace for its phenomenal work both in Darwin and around the country and to really encourage soldiers. I also saw a US Marine utilising the facility, which is great for the alliance, as well.