Canberra to review defence industry capability support

The federal government has launched a rapid review of the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) to better support the ability of SME and regional businesses to access the defence market.

Defence industry minister Melissa Price appointed small business ombudsman Kate Carnell and a defence department deputy secretary, Tony Fraser to determine how to better serve business’ability to meet strategic needs.

Price said: “The CDIC is a key initiative of the 2016 Defence White Paper, which was formed to help grow a competitive, sustainable defence industry base.

“The CDIC is often referred to as the front door for service support for local defence companies (and) I want to throw those doors wide open.

“We’ll be engaging defence companies on ways to boost this help.”

The Adelaide-based CDIC:

# helps businesses navigate the defence market

# provides specialist advice on improving competitiveness and accessing global markets

# facilitates connections between businesses and Defence

# links Australian innovators and researchers to the Defence Innovation Hub and the Next Generation Technologies Fund

# and undertakes sector-wide projects to support industry development.

Price released terms of reference for the review and said an initial discussion paper would be prepared and circulated to industry.

The review purpose statement said: “The CDIC review will assess the current operational model and ensure it can continue supporting the enduring growth of Australian sovereign defence industry now and into the future.

“The review will offer an opportunity to strengthen CDIC delivery, clarify role and assess its capacity to continue to support and meet the needs of small and regional businesses.”

The review will be completed by July this year.

Picture: RAN/HMAS Sydney the newest ship built in Australia arrives at her home port.

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