Anne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of Senator Gallacher, I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting day in March 2016:

     The capability of Defence's physical science and engineering (PSE) workforce, with particular reference to:

(a) the importance of the PSE workforce to Defence projects;

(b) the current PSE capability within Defence, the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO);

(c) the potential risks of a skills shortage in the PSE workforce and a decline in Defence's PSE capability;

(d) the ability of Defence to have relevant PSE capabilities to meet future technological needs;

(e) the ability of new technologies discovered by the PSE workforce to be incorporated into Australia's defence capability planning;

(f) the effect of project outsourcing on Defence's PSE capability;

(g) the ability to attract and retain a highly skilled PSE workforce in Defence, DMO and DSTO; and

(h) any other related matters.