PM talks defence in Indonesia

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese jetted off to Indonesia for talks aimed at increasing military exercises and defence trade between the two countries. The trip was the first of Mr Albanese’s second term after Labor’s convincing May 3 election victory. The Prime Minister refreshed his frontbench in a move which left most familiar names in place. The Coalition elected former deputy leader Sussan Ley as leader and former Energy Affordability and Reliability Shadow Minister Ted O’Brien as deputy – tasked with undertaking a formidable rebuild for the Coalition following the devastating election loss. As of late Thursday, according to the Lower House progress count Labor had 93 seats, the Coalition 43, Independents 9, Katter’s Australia Party 1, Centre Alliance 1 and Greens 1. Only two of the 150 Lower House seats were still in doubt. In the Senate Labor looked like picking up at least four seats from the Liberals, taking its tally to at least 28 but possibly as many as 30, the Coalition could pick up 26 or 27 and the Greens 11. The crossbench is likely to consist of ACT Independent David Pocock, continuing Labor turned Australian Voice Senator Fatima Payman, and continuing Greens turned Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, continuing Jacqui Lambie turned Independent Senator Tammy Tyrell, probably Lambie herself, Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts from One Nation, and continuing United Australia Party Senator Ralph Babet.

Hastie on leadership and opportunities beyond defence

Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie has spoken out post the election result saying he would like in future to bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party. Mr Hastie said he was also open minded about serving in a non-defence portfolio to broaden his political experience. The revelations came in a podcast with the Labor aligned John Curtin Institute of Public Policy and subsequent interviews. Mr Hastie said he did not stand for the leadership this time because he has a young family, and it was a long commute to Canberra from Perth. But he said he supported Ms Ley as new Liberal leader and was happy to serve wherever the new leader asked him to serve. Mr Hastie also conceded the Coalition had released its defence policy too late in the election campaign for it to have had any impact. As AIDN predicted both Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister Pat Conroy are continuing in their portfolios for a second term. WA MP Matt Keogh also stays on in the Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel portfolio and Norther Territory MP Luke Gosling continues as Special Envoy for Veterans Affairs and Northern Australia. However, Dr Andrew Charlton has been promoted to Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy within the Industry portfolio and also taken on the post of Cabinet Secretary. In Dr Charlton’s place Prime Minister Albanese has promoted Victorian MP and former National Security Adviser to Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd – Peter Khalil – to the post of Assistant Defence Minister.

AIDN National Conference

AIDN is staging its inaugural National Conference at Benowa on the Gold Coast on Friday May 23. The event will canvass issues across the defence spectrum as the re-elected Federal Labor Government implements its defence capability plans for a second term. It will be held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort and tickets are still available. The theme is “Empowering Australia’s Defence Industry for Success’’ and AIDN Board Chair, Carl Quarterman says the event will serve as a premier forum for defence industry professionals, government representatives, and key stakeholders to collaborate on advancing Australia’s sovereign Defence capabilities. It will also provide a strategic platform for discussing industry trends, government policies, and emerging technologies that shape the future of national Defence. Key sessions will also cover the state of the Australian defence industry, highlighting policy updates, funding opportunities, and market dynamics. Experts will also explore innovation and sovereign capability, showcasing cutting-edge defence technologies and successful industry collaborations. Discussions on supply chain resilience and SME development will provide insights into defence procurement, contracting, and integration into major projects.

Mission Syracuse – call for proposals

The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) is looking for innovative solutions to counter threats from small armed drones. Mission Syracuse will focus on rapidly developing advanced technology options to intercept uncrewed aerial systems that can be integrated into the ADF’s existing counter small uncrewed aerial systems (CsUAS). The mission seeks sovereign solutions from Australian industry and research organisations through a two-stage procurement process. ASCA missions are at the heart of a new approach, in partnership with industry to focus on rapidly pulling through disruptive technologies into capabilities that will meet Defence’s most pressing needs, as outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy. These advanced technologies can protect deployed forces by securing infrastructure, expeditionary bases, dismounted personnel and their equipment, and all classes of ADF vehicles. Mission Syracuse will complement LAND 156, which will deliver a comprehensive CsUAS capability system for the ADF that is able to detect, track, identify, and neutralise adversaries. Proposals for Mission Syracuse need to be submitted via AusTender by June 6, 2025.

CSIRO seeks SME’s

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is calling on small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing solutions in digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to apply for its latest Innovate to Grow program. Expressions of interest are open for the eight-week online program, which gives selected businesses free access to R&D experts, industry mentors and self-paced learning modules to help them turn an early-stage idea into an actionable research plan and funding roadmap. The program is open to SMEs working in computer vision, machine learning, ChatGPT, natural language processing, digital manufacturing, Quantum computing, cybersecurity and robotics and autonomous systems. Applications close on June 1, 2025.