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
The Northern Australia Defence Summit returns as part of NT Defence Week 2025, running from 28 April to 2 May.
This year’s expanded two-day format underscores the North’s critical role in Defence and national security.
With the theme “Uplifting Industry Across the North to Meet Capability Demands of the ADF, Allies, and Partners,” the summit will bring together Defence leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and SMEs to discuss:
- Defence capability development in the Indo-Pacific.
- Economic growth opportunities tied to Defence initiatives in Northern Australia.
- Strengthening partnerships with Defence and allied stakeholders.
What to expect at the 2025 Summit:
- High-profile speakers from Defence, government, and industry.
- Engaging panel discussions and keynotes on Defence readiness and innovation.
- Networking opportunities to connect with decision-makers shaping the future of Defence in the region.
As a signature event of NT Defence Week, the Summit is your gateway to influence, innovate, and invest in Northern Australia’s Defence landscape.
Be part of the conversation shaping the future.
The second half-day of the 2025 Summit will focus on the critical importance of littoral operations in securing Australia’s coastal and maritime zones. Through expert-led discussions, this session will explore evolving geostrategic threats, innovations in maritime domain awareness, and the role of littoral operations in protecting critical infrastructure, countering illegal activities, and supporting disaster response efforts.
There is separate pricing attached. please add and highlight that this is specifically only for the Littoral Forum.
On the Book Now page delegates need to be able to attend NADS and Littoral individually and book both.
Littoral Forum Overview
The second half-day of the 2025 Summit will focus on the critical importance of littoral operations in securing Australia’s coastal and maritime zones. Through expert-led discussions, this session will explore evolving geostrategic threats, innovations in maritime domain awareness, and the role of littoral operations in protecting critical infrastructure, countering illegal activities, and supporting disaster response efforts.
Speakers
The Hon Lia Finocchiaro
Chief Minister of The Northern Territory
Brigadier Matthew Quinn
Director General – Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch, Security and Estate Group, Department of Defence
Commodore Brad Smith
Director General – Major Surface Ships, Department of Defence
Georgia Davey
Program Manager, NORSTA Maritime – RMP North
David Cooper
Chief Executive Officer, Anglicotech
Stephen Land
Chief Investment Officer, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility
Luke Gosling OAM
MP, Member for Solomon & Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans’ Affairs and Northern Australia
Laine Pettitt
Assistant Secretary – Domestic Industry Policy, Department of Defence
Dr Dan Billing
Program Leader Logistics & Health, DSTG, Department of Defence
Steven Camilleri
Co-Founder & CTO, SPEE3D
Sudantha Hettiarachchi
National Design Leader – Defence, Multiplex
Raelene Lockhorst
Deputy Director – National Security Programs, ASPI
Jason Miezio
Defence Sector Lead, Sitzler
Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Coffee Cart Sponsor
Exhibitors
Partners
Charity Partner
2025 AGENDA
Conference Day | Tuesday 29th April 2025
08:50
OPENING |Opening remarks from the Chair
Jason Miezio, Defence Sector Lead, Sitzler
09:00
CHIEF MINISTER’S ADDRESS |
Lia Finocchiaro, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
09:20
PANEL | The Indo-Pacific’s Geostrategic Landscape & the Role of Northern Australia
- Strategic competition and rising great power contestation
- Regional alliances and relationships
- Threats and challenges faced now and into the future
10:00
CASE STUDY | US contractors on operating in the Pacific
- The work they are already doing across the pacific
- Where expansion may be happening
- What they look for when setting up new locations
Dave Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, Anglicotech
10:20
Morning Tea & Networking Break
10:50
KEYNOTE | Defence investment, expenditure and construction across Northern Australia
- Modernisation and upgrades to existing facilities
- Future developments and requirements
- Regional workforce challenges
BRIG Matt Quinn, Director General Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch, Department of Defence
11:10
CASE STUDY | Sitzler
Senior Representative, Sitzler
11:30
PANEL | Construction across Northern Australia: Challenges and opportunities of delivering construction projects across the North
- Geographical and environmental hurdles delivering infrastructure projects in remote and regional areas
- Ensuring a sufficiently skilled local workforce
- Innovation in construction; utilising modular and prefabricated structures
- How is technology supporting the delivery of infrastructure projects?
Senior Representative, Sitzler
Sudantha Hettiarachchi, National Design Leader – Defence, Multiplex
Raelene Lockhorst, Deputy Director – National Security Programs, ASPI
12:00
How is Northern Australia contributing to Defence outcomes & what more could the region offer?
- Outlining the strategic significance of the North in an evolving regional dynamic
- Strengthening Defence presence and capability across Northern Australia
- Supporting local defence industry growth and investment
Luke Gosling OAM, MP, Member for Solomon & Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans’ Affairs and Northern Australia
12:15
Lunch
13:15
Protecting the boarder & closing the gap – the role of the Regional Force Surveillance Group in supporting Australia’s national interests
Col Steven Dickie, Commander – Regional Force Surveillance Group
13:35
KEYNOTE | Modernising, expanding and sustaining Australia surface fleet
- Implementing the recommendations of the Surface Fleet Review
- Supporting regional stability and enhancing interoperability with regional allies
- What role can Northern Australia play in the development of navy capability?
- Incorporating local SMEs into the shipbuilding supply chain
Commodore Brad Smith, Director General – Major Surface Ships, Royal Australian Navy
13:55
PANEL | Sustainment in Northern Australia: Enhancing Readiness Army, Navy & Air Force
- Northern Australia’s strategic role in sustainment
- Maximising emerging technologies
- Challenges and opportunities for sustainment in the North
- Local supply chain development
Georgia Davey, Program Manager, NORSTA Maritime
Senior Representative, Supacat
14:25
Afternoon Tea and Networking Break
15:00
PANEL | Financing the Development of Defence Projects in Northern Australia
- The role of Defence spending in regional economic growth
- Unlocking private sector funding and investment opportunities
- Opportunities for private equity and venture capitalist in emerging defence technologies
Stephen Land, Chief Investment Officer, The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF)
15:30
How can industry in the North capitalise on growing defence opportunities?
- Highlighting Northern Australia’s strategic significance
- Developing relationships between Defence, PRIMES, SMEs and academic institutions
- Strengthen and upgrade local workforce and infrastructure capabilities
Laine Pettitt, Assistant Secretary – Domestic Industry Policy, Department of Defence
15:50
PANEL |Bringing Innovation to Defence in Northern Australia
- What are the opportunities for researchers and industry to partner and the pathways to deliver outcomes for Defence in Northern Australia?
- What are some of the logistics and health-related challenges to be faced operating in the north? Given the distance from major centres, harsh climate, austere and littoral environments?
- How can innovation help to address those challenges and shape the way we operate?
- What are some of the other aspects to consider, such as workforce and security?
MAJGEN Carla Watts, Commander Joint Logistics, Department of Defence
Dr Dan Billing, Program Leader Logistics & Health, DSTG, Department of Defence
Steven Camilleri, Co-Founder & CTO, SPEE3D
16:30
Closing Remarks from the Chair
16:40
End of Conference
Pricing
SME is organisation with fewer than 200 employees globally
A local SME is one based in the Northern Territory with fewer than 50 employees
A conference pass includes admission to each of the sessions, the welcome reception and the post conference drinks
*Department of Defence/ADF attend for free. Please register for the ADF/Dept Defence pass by emailing info@informa.com.au and ensure you use your business email address.
| Packages | Full Rate |
| Northern Australia Defence Summit (29 April) – Standard Industry Rate | $2,395 + GST |
| Northern Australia Defence Summit (29 April) – SME Rate | $1,595 + GST |
| Northern Australia Defence Summit (29 April) – Local SMEs Rate | $550 + GST |
| Littoral Forum – Standard Industry Rate | $795 + GST |
| Littoral Forum – SME Rate | $595 + GST |
| Littoral Forum – Local SMEs Rate | $395 + GST |
NT Defence Week
Looking to register for an individual NT Defence Week event, click here for more info.
Venue
Darwin Convention Centre
10 Stokes Hill Rd,
Darwin City NT 0800
(08) 8923 9000
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