Today, the Albanian Government has started implementing some of the Defense Strategic Review’s important recommendations.
As the Review makes clear, developing Australia’s defence industry and accelerating the purchase of essential defence capabilities will need sincere cooperation between the Government, business, and labour.
In response to our current strategic circumstances, the Review makes concrete recommendations for changes to the Defense’s organizational structure, operational posture, and funding priorities, including the Defense Integrated Investment Program (IIP).
This vast undertaking calls for a thoughtful, deliberate, and prompt response.
We will collaborate closely with the industry over the coming weeks and months because we know these reforms have significant consequences for defence and business.
It is abundantly evident from the Review that more time should be spent on important defence purchases and capabilities. Our strategic situation requires that these problems be resolved immediately.
In response to the Review, the Albanese Government will implement several reforms.
The Government has ordered the Defense Department to get to work immediately, removing any obstacles that shouldn’t be in the way of purchases.
• Simplify low-complexity procurements and initiatives that are crucial from a strategic standpoint.
• Take quicker judgments when executing defence initiatives.
• Create workable solutions while closely working with the defence industry.
The Australian Defence Force will be able to get the capabilities it needs when it needs them thanks to these reforms, which will reduce red tape and make the Defense Department a better partner with business.
To deal with challenging projects and complex projects, the Albanese government has already announced and is implementing important reforms to defence procurement.
The Albanese Government will publish a Defense Industry Development Strategy later this year in order to develop the defence industry required to support the ADF. It will include the following information:
• The strategic justification for a national defence industry.
• Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities that are more specific and comprehensive.
• A strategy to promote industry employment in order to create a strong industrial base and boost Australia’s exports of defence.
• Defense procurement reforms to respond to the Review and encourage the growth of the Australian defence sector.
• Security-improving tools for the defence industry.
• A thorough implementation strategy.
Delivering the changes and capabilities outlined in the Defense Strategic Review will depend on this crucial step.
In light of our strategic conditions, the Defense Strategic Review is a clarion call for action, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles.”The Albanese Government is determined to reform Defense and its capability acquisition processes to ensure our defence forces have the capabilities they need and sooner,” the Government declared. “The Review is clear that we cannot waste any more time when it comes to acquiring critical defence capabilities.”
“The Albanese Government is fixing the mess left by the former Government, which talked a big game but failed to deliver,” stated Pat Conroy, minister of the defence industry. There is no time to waste, but it’s also crucial that Government works closely with industry and unions to get this right and to build the industrial base we need for our future national security. We are committed to giving industry the clarity and guidance it needs to make informed business decisions based on Australia’s priorities.
