Northern Australia Defence
Hosted by the NT Government, this policy-driven event will look at the opportunities for Australia’s Defence industry in Northern Australia.
29 April 2025
Darwin Convention Centre
This year’s Summit will focus on the ever-important strategic position of Northern Australia, its role in the wider Indo-Pacific region, and its significance to Australia’s security. Alongside this, the conference will cover a range of topics considering ADF Capabilities in the North, investment in infrastructure projects, Defence as a driver for local economic growth, and the challenges of developing and sustaining a sufficiently skilled workforce to support Defence operations.
The conference will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the role of Defence in Northern Australia and current and future developments in the region.
The Summit will hear from Ministers, senior Defence personnel, industry leaders, SMEs, academics, and strategic analysts.
Speakers
The Hon Pat Conroy MP
Minister for Defence Industry & Minister for International Development and the Pacific
The Hon Eva Lawler MLA
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP
Assistant Minister for Defence
AIRCDRE Ron Tilley
Director General Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch, Department of Defence
BRIG Doug Pashley
Commander,
1st Brigade
CAPT Mitch Livingstone
Commander,
NORCOM
Giovina D’Alessandro
Deputy Infrastructure Commissioner of the Northern Territory
CAPT David Shirvington
Commanding Officer,
HMAS Coonawarra
WGCDR Lauren Guest
Commanding Officer,
13th Squadron
Georgia Davey
Program Manager,
NORSTA Maritime
Jason Miezio
Defence Sector Lead,
Sitzler
Dr John Coyne
Head of the Northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre, ASPI
Dr Victor Abramowicz
Manager for Defence & Advanced Manufacturing, Charles Darwin University
Ewen Levick
Publisher, Australian Defence Magazine
Sudantha Hettiarachchi
National Design Leader – Defence, Multiplex
Robert Dane
Chief Executive Officer, Ocius Technology
Stephen Land
Chief Investment Officer, The Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF)
Phil Thompson OAM
MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence
Jim Walker
Chapter President,
AIDN NT
Matthew Niikkula
Shire President of Exmouth & Chair, North West Defence Alliance
Lia Finocchiaro MLA
Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Strategic Defence Relations
LTGEN (ret’d) Shigeki Muto
Japanese Air Self Defense Force & Japan Lead for the NT National Security Advisory Group
Peter Colacino
Project Strategy & Delivery Lead, Mott MacDonald
Aaron McMahon
Senior Adviser Northern Australia, Arican
Ricky Yates
Project Director – Defence, Sitzler
Des Marsh
Contractors Representative, Sitzler
Dr Alan Dupont AO
Northern Territory Defence and National Security Advisor
LTGEN (Ret’d) John Wissler
United States Marine Corp & US Lead for the National Security Advisory Group
Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Coffee Cart Sponsor
Exhibitors
Event Partners
Charity Partner
WELCOME RECEPTION
Tuesday 7th May 2024
Enjoy the picturesque surroundings and gorgeous view of the Darwin horizon at Parliament House as the Chief Minister welcomes attendees to the 10th Annual ADM Northern Australia Defence Summit.
Hosted by: The Hon Eva Lawler MLA, Chief Minister, Northern Territory Government
17:30 – 19:00 | Main Hall, Parliament House
KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Chief Minister’s Welcome Address
The Hon Eva Lawler MLA, Chief Minister, Northern Territory Government
2024 AGENDA
Conference Day | Wednesday 8th May 2024
08:00
Registration opens
You can collect your name badge at the Welcome Reception and fast track your entry into the Summit.
08:45
WELCOME TO COUNTRY |
08:50
WELCOME ADDRESS FROM AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MAGAZINE |
Ewen Levick, Publisher, Australian Defence Magazine
08:55
OPENING | Opening remarks from the Chair
Jason Miezio, Defence Sector Lead, Sitzler
09:00
CHIEF MINISTER’S ADDRESS |
The Hon Eva Lawler MLA, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
09:20
MINISTERIAL ADDRESS |
The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry & Minister for International Development and the Pacific
09:30
FIRESIDE CHAT |
The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry & Minister for International Development and the Pacific
Interviewer: Ewen Levick, Publisher, Australian Defence Magazine
09:50
PANEL | Enhancing Regional Development and Collaboration Across Infrastructure Projects
- Outlining the North’s current capacity to support infrastructure projects
- Including sustainability into planning and construction
- The value of infrastructure to the region
Stephen Land, Chief Investment Officer, The Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF)
Sudantha Hettiarachchi, National Design Leader – Defence, Multiplex
Matthew Niikkula, Shire President of Exmouth & Chair, North West Defence Alliance
Giovina D’Alessandro, Deputy Infrastructure Commissioner of the Northern Territory
Moderator: Tyson Sara, CEO & Chief Strategist, CMAX Advisory
10:25
Morning Tea & Networking Break
10:50
MINISTERIAL ADDRESS |
The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Defence
11:00
KEYNOTE | Defence infrastructure initiatives across Northern Australia
- Analysis of Defence expenditure across the North
- Upgrading of existing Defence facilities
- Project timelines and anticipated results
- Benefits to local communities and industry
AIRCDRE Ron Tilley, Director General Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch, Department of Defence
11:20
IN CONVERSATION |
The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Defence
AIRCDRE Ron Tilley, Director General Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch, Department of Defence
11:35
The 2024 National Defence Strategy – a Sitzler Perspective
Ricky Yates, Project Director – Defence, Sitzler
Des Marsh, Contractors Representative, Sitzler
11:55
PANEL | Creative funding and financing for future Defence projects
- Encouraging private investment into the defence industry sector
- Defence as an investment category and asset class
- The potential contribution of superannuation funds to financing defence programs
Peter Colacino, Project Strategy & Delivery Lead, Mott MacDonald
Matthew Biviano, Executive Director, Plenary
Moderator: Dr Alan Dupont AO, Northern Territory Defence and National Security Advisor
12:30
Lunch
13:40
PANEL | Addressing challenges in local industry: Engaging with Northern Australia’s Defence sector
- Successful strategies for integrating into defence supply chains
- Overcoming entry barriers and establishing a foothold in defence
- Fostering innovation and technology
- Future growth areas and partnership opportunities
Jim Walker, Chapter President, AIDN NT
Lia Finocchiaro MLA, Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Strategic Defence Relations
Aaron McMahon, Senior Adviser Northern Australia, Arican
Moderator: Brent Clark, CEO, AIDN
14:15
CASE STUDY | Defence of the North of Australia with sovereign USVs
- Renewable energy powered sea surface drones – powered by sun, wind and waves
- Long duration persistent surveillance, remote from mainland
- Above and below water sensors for ISR and ASW
- Proven capability with an effect
- Integrate with and complement crewed assets
- Approved by AMSA, launched from Darwin
Robert Dane, Chief Executive Officer, Ocius Technology
14:35
The geostrategic significance of Darwin and Northern Australia to the Indo-Pacific
- Northern Australia’s close proximity to key shipping and trade routes
- Military installations and facilities contributing to regional security
- Partnerships and alliances with close allies
LTGEN (Ret’d) John Wissler, United States Marine Corp & US Lead for the National Security Advisory Group
14:45
PANEL | Navigating Asia-Pacific Geo-Politics: Implications for Northern Australia
- Strategic engagement amidst a growing US-China rivalry
- Security challenges and dynamics in the region
- Northern Australia’s role within the region
- Defence capability and economic integration
Dr John Coyne, Head of the Northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre, ASPI
Dr Victor Abramowicz, Manager for Defence & Advanced Manufacturing, Charles Darwin University
LTGEN (ret’d) Shigeki Muto, Japanese Air Self Defense Force & Japan Lead, NT National Security Advisory Group
Moderator: Dr Alan Dupont AO, Northern Territory Defence and National Security Advisor
15:20
Afternoon Tea
15:40
CASE STUDY | Delivering maintenance and sustainment projects across Northern Australia: Challenges and opportunities
- Collaborating with local industry
- Unique environmental and geographical challenges
- Workforce and skills requirements
- Managing risk and uncertainties
Georgia Davey, Program Manager, NORSTA Maritime
16:00
PANEL | Specific Challenges Operating Defence Bases in the North
- Unique constraints of the Northern Environment
- Logistics and supply chains
- Indigenous engagement and cultural sensitivities
BRIG Doug Pashley, Commander, 1st Brigade
CAPT Mitch Livingstone, Commander, NORCOM
CAPT David Shirvington, Commanding Officer, HMAS Coonawarra
WGCDR Lauren Guest, Commanding Officer, 13th Squadron
Moderator: Jason Miezio, Defence Sector Lead, Sitzler
16:55
Closing Remarks from the Chair
Jason Miezio, Defence Sector Lead, Sitzler
17:00
End of Conference & Networking Drinks
NT Defence Week returns in 2024 from 7 – 13 May.
Now in its third year, NT Defence Week facilitates strategic dialogue; fosters collaboration; strengthens relationships; and showcases industry capability. A valuable opportunity for engagement between locals and interstate visitors, this year NT Defence Week will see a suite of events across Darwin, Katherine, and for the first time, Alice Springs.
This year’s line-up includes the annual ADM Northern Australia Defence Summit, which attracts Australian Defence Force (ADF) decision makers, industry leaders, academics, strategic analysts and businesses from all around Australia. The Summit will cover a range of topics considering ADF capability requirements in Northern Australia, investment in infrastructure projects and Defence as a driver for local economic growth.
NT Defence Week 2024 will also feature a Meet the Buyer Showcase hosted by the Industry Capability Network NT (ICN NT), regional roadshows in Katherine and Alice Springs, multiple networking opportunities and an industry awards evening hosted by the Australian Industry and Defence Network NT (AIDN NT).
Following the release of the Northern Territory Defence Veterans Strategy – which has committed to supporting and honouring Defence veterans – this year’s events will also feature opportunities to focus on veterans and their families, and celebrate their contributions to the economy and community.
As we sit between the release of the Defence Strategic Review in 2023 and await the release of the National Defence Strategy, it is a critical time for the Northern Territory to engage and demonstrate the key role it plays in defence and national security. NT Defence Week 2024 is not to be missed.
For more information and to view the list of NT Defence Week events, please visit: https://defence.nt.gov.au/industry/local-events.
Venue
Darwin Convention Centre
10 Stokes Hill Rd,
Darwin City NT 0800
(08) 8923 9000
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