PROJECTS OF CONCERN UPDATE

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, convened a Projects of Concern Summit in Canberra today about the Civil-Military Air Traffic Management System (OneSKY-CMATS) project.

The Albanese Government is strengthening and revitalising Defence’s Projects of Concern process, bringing senior stakeholders from government and industry together to remediate listed projects.

Thales Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jeff Connolly, and senior officials from Defence, Infrastructure, and Airservices Australia took part in today’s Summit, discussing progress towards remediating the project.

The Projects of Concern regime is a proven process for managing the remediation of underperforming projects. Since the previous Summit, a remediation plan for OneSKY-CMATS has been agreed to and signed.

The OneSKY-CMATS project is a partnership to replace existing air traffic management systems with an advanced, integrated management and control system for civilian and military aviation.

This is the second Summit held since the Albanese Government came to office.

Minister Conroy thanked Thales Australia and Airservices Australia for their constructive engagement at the Summit, and for identifying pathways to improve efficiency and timely delivery.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“We are bringing new energy and senior attention to remediating Defence projects which are facing difficulties and delays, delivering on our commitment to hold regular Projects of Concern Summits.

“The CMATS project is delivering one of the most advanced air traffic control systems in the world and I am pleased to see a strong commitment from all parties involved to get it back on track.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with Defence, Thales and Airservices Australia, providing leadership and oversight, to ensure the Australian Defence Force gets the capability it needs.”

31 MARCH 2023

MEDIA CONTACT:

Peta Donald (Minister Conroy’s Office): +61 435 521 326

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