Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I can, and it is right here: the Australian government's Defence Industry Policy Statement, released today with the white paper, and the Integrated Investment Program. That is a very important question from Senator Fawcett, because in this white paper and this Defence Industry Policy Statement we recognise that industry is a fundamental input of capability to defence acquisition, most importantly. It is recognised for the first time in this policy statement.

We set out in this document a plan to transform the relationship between Defence and industry, and that comes with an acknowledgement that it has not historically always been, necessarily, the most productive on either side of the process. Defence and industry have both been a lot of time working on this policy statement so that we can change the relationship and so that we can change the balances where there were issues and put together the two partners to make a much more productive relationship.

We are going to build a very good, strong strategic partnership with Australian industry, because they are, as I said, a fundamental input to capability—the part of the system that makes it possible for us to do what we do. The first step in creating the partnership is the publication of the full Integrated Investment Program, which I spoke about in response to Senator Reynolds's questions. That will help industry know what procurements are coming and when. It will be a much more focused, coordinated and transparent approach, and that has been one of the criticisms in relation to how industry is able to engage with Defence. We are going to ensure that we engage much earlier in the process to build those relationships.

We will also introduce a new approach to defence innovation to ensure that industry are able to access research funding more easily. We want to help them maximise their export potential. As I said today, when the Prime Minister and I walked onto the Monegeetta Proving Ground in Victoria to see the Hawkeis and sign the contract for those, the first thing he said is, 'What extraordinary export potential is here for Australia!' (Time expired)