• 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.

    28 April 2026
    Darwin Convention Centre

    BOOK NOW REGISTER INTEREST

Overview

The Northern Australia Defence Summit is set to return as part of NT Defence Week 2026, taking place from April 27 to May 1.

This year’s expanded two-day format highlights the North’s pivotal role in Australia’s Defence and national security strategy.

Under the theme “Northern Capability – Australia’s Defence,” the summit will convene Defence leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and SMEs to explore key topics, including:

  • Advancing Defence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region
  • Unlocking economic opportunities through Defence initiatives in Northern Australia.
  • Strengthening collaboration with Defence and allied stakeholders

Highlights of the 2026 Summit:

  • Senior speakers from Defence, government, and industry
  • Insightful panel discussions and keynote sessions on Defence innovation, infrastructure development and delivery and readiness
  • Networking opportunities to engage with key decision-makers shaping the region’s Defence future

As a cornerstone event of NT Defence Week, the Summit offers a unique platform to influence, innovate, and invest in Northern Australia’s Defence landscape. Join the conversation shaping the future.

The second day of the Summit will focus on the importance of littoral operations and contested logistics in Northern Australia. Discussions will address geostrategic threats, advancements in maritime domain awareness, and the challenges of securing supply chains and maintaining operational readiness in remote and competitive environments.

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


Todd Tippett
Assistant Secretary Specialist Systems, 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


Sean Thomas
Managing Director, KVG Ventures


Darian Macey
Founder, DECnet


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


Simon Chipperfield
Procurement & Subcontracts Manager – Defence Delivery, BAE Systems Australia


Damien Halliday
Industry Development Lead – First Nations – Industry Capability Team, BAE Systems Australia


BRIG Doug Pashley
Commanding Officer,
1st Brigade – Australian Army


John Coyne
Director – National Security Programs, ASPI


Brendan Sowry
General Manager – Defence, CPB


LTGEN (Ret’d) John Wissler
DefenceNT Strategy Group, Northern Territory Government


Andy Cowan
Northern Territory Lead, Scyne Advisory


BRIG Mick Say
Director General – Force Posture Initiatives Branch – International Policy Division, Department of Defence


Nicholas Andrew
Area Manager – Bradshaw, Sitzler

Sponsors

Lanyard Sponsor

Lunch Sponsor

Exhibitors

Welcome Reception

Monday 28th April | 17:30 – 19:00
Main Hall, Parliament House
15 Mitchell St, Darwin City NT 0800

Enjoy the picturesque surroundings and gorgeous view of the Darwin horizon at Parliament House as the Chief Minister, Lia Finocchiaro welcomes attendees to the 11th Annual ADM Northern Australia Defence Summit.

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

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

LTGEN (Ret’d) John Wissler, DefenceNT Strategy Group, Northern Territory Government

09:40

KEYNOTE | US Force Posture: Enhancing Interoperability and the Ability to Respond to Regional Crises

  • Overview of Force Posture
  • Update on current force posture activities and investments
  • Next steps and future investment strategies

BRIG Mick Say, Director General – Force Posture Initiatives Branch – International Policy Division, Department of Defence

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 | The adoption of Minimum Viable Capability for Defence: A case study in the Top End

Nicholas Andrew, Area Manager – Bradshaw, Sitzler
Ben Stanton, Civil Engineer, Jacobs

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?

Brendan Sowry, General Manager – Defence, CPB
Sudantha Hettiarachchi, National Design Leader – Defence, Multiplex
Raelene Lockhorst, Deputy Director – National Security Programs, ASPI
Moderator: Darian Macey, Founder, DECnet

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 Border & 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

Partnering for Success: First Nations Enterprises in Remote Defence Operations

Damien Halliday, Industry Development Lead – First Nations – Industry Capability Team, BAE Systems Australia
Simon Chipperfield, Procurement & Subcontracts Manager – Defence Delivery, BAE Systems Australia

13:55

PANEL | The Indigenous procurement Policy

  • Defence as a foundation for Indigenous opportunity
  • Benefits, pitfalls, change and impact

Matt Christophers, Senior Project Manager, JLL
Ray Pratt, Director, DICE
Jessice Buckley, Director, MJ Builders
Brandon Rusca, Director, Bulmeka Contracting
Moderator: Naomi Anstess, Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network

14:25

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

Todd Tippett, Assistant Secretary Specialist Systems, Department of Defence

14:45

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
Jordan Marchioni, Head of Defence, Supacat Asia Pacific
John Coyne, Director – National Security Programs, ASPI
Moderator: Aaron McMahon, President, AIDN NT

15:15

Afternoon Tea and Networking Break

15:45

PANEL | Funding & 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)
Sean Thomas, Managing Director, KVG Ventures

16:15

The Defence IS&T Strategy and Solving the Hard Problems

  • Defence IS&T Strategy summary
  • The unique nature of operating in the Defence context
  • Posturing and enabling innovation efforts for success

Dr Robert Hunjet, Program Leader – Australian Defence Science and Universities Network – Defence Science and Technology Group, Department of Defence

16:35

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?

Kelly Ralston, Deputy Chief Executive, Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations
Hamish Campbell, Director North Australia, Centre for Autonomous Systems (NACAS)
Steven Camilleri, Co-Founder & CTO, SPEE3D
Moderator: Roger Stuckey, Associate Director, QDSA

17:05

Closing Remarks from the Chair

Jason Miezio, Defence Sector Lead, Sitzler

17:10

End of Conference

Littoral Forum

Wednesday 30th April 2025

08:50

OPENING |Opening remarks from the Chair

Aaron McMahon, President, AIDN NT

09:00

Understanding the Evolving Threat in the Littoral Environment and Securing Australia’s Littoral Zones

  • Geostrategic threats in the Indo-Pacific and to Australian coastal and maritime areas
  • Maritime domain awareness and surveillance operations
  • Protecting critical infrastructure assets such as ports, undersea cables and energy assets
  • Innovation and technology

John Coyne, Director – National Security Programs, ASPI

09:25

Enabling Joint Capability in Littoral Operations

  • The role of joint capabilities in projecting force in littoral zones
  • Improving interoperability
  • Challenges for littoral operations in the North

LTGEN (ret’d) John Frewen, DefenceNT Strategy Group, Northern Territory Government

09:50

PANEL | Enabling Advanced Littoral Operations in Northern Australia

  • What critical infrastructure is required to support advanced littoral operations?
  • How can states and territories contribute to enabling and sustaining a northern littoral fleet?
  • What are the key industry requirements to accommodate a littoral fleet?

Don Roach, Defence and Industry Engagement, Defence Jobs Queensland
Paul Schneider, Executive Director, Land Development Corporation
Aaron McMahon, President, AIDN NT
Moderator: Guy Boekenstein, Director Australia, Armatus Inc. & Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney

10:30

Morning Tea & Networking Break

11:00

11:00    PANEL | How can SME’s and Local Businesses Support Littoral Operations across Northern Australia

  • Products and services offered by the North’s local industry
  • Strengthening supply chains
  • Opportunities for SMEs to access Defence work
  • Benefits to the local economy and community

David Tynan, Director, Defence & Regional Security, Palladium Group
Aaron McMahon, President, AIDN NT
Matthew Majewski, Business Development Manager – Global Access Program, BAE Systems Australia
Moderator: Guy Boekenstein, Director Australia, Armatus Inc. & Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney

11:40

KEYNOTE | 1 Brigade’s Role in Littoral Operations

  • Structure, assets and responsibilities in Northern Australia
  • Challenges maintaining operational readiness in remote areas
  • Joint operations with Navy & future littoral capability

BRIG Doug Pashley, Commanding Officer, 1st Brigade – Australian Army

12:05

Closing Remarks from the Chair

Guy Boekenstein, Director Australia, Armatus Inc. & Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney

12:10

End of Conference

Pricing

  • Early-bird available until 28 Feb 2026
  • SME is organisation with fewer than 200 employees globally
  • A local SME is one based in the Nortthen 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 [email protected] and ensure you use your business email address.

Packages Early Bird Standard Rate
Northern Australia Defence Summit – Standard Industry Rate $2,295 + GST $2,495 + GST
Northern Australia Defence Summit – SME Rate $1,495 + GST $1,695 + GST
Northern Australia Defence Summit – Local SMEs Rate $495 + GST $695 + GST
Littoral Forum – Standard Industry Rate $695 + GST $895 + GST
Littoral Forum – SME Rate $495 + GST $695 + GST
Littoral Forum – Local SMEs Rate $350 + GST $550 + GST
Contested Logistics Forum – Standard Industry Rate $695 + GST $895 + GST
Contested Logistics Forum – SME Rate $495 + GST $695 + GST
Contested Logistics Forum – Local SMEs Rate $350 + GST $550 + GST
BOOK NOW

NT Defence Week

Running alongside the Summit, NT Defence Week is the Northern Territory Government’s premier industry engagement initiative, promoting collaboration, partnerships, strategic dialogue, and showcasing defence industry capability. The 2026 program will be released shortly. Register your interest to keep updated with developments.

Networking Function

DefenceNT Networking Function

DefenceNT, in collaboration with Australian Industry and Defence Network, the Chamber of Commerce, Master Builders, the Indigenous Business Network and Industry Capability Network, will host a networking function following the Defence Summit.

This will provide a great opportunity to engage with key decision makers from Government and industry while enjoying a drink and canapes at Wharf One Food & Wine, one of Darwin’s best waterfront venues.

Venue

Darwin Convention Centre
10 Stokes Hill Rd,
Darwin City NT 0800
(08) 8923 9000

Code of conduct

We want everyone who comes to our events to have a great experience.

This code explains our expectations and rules, which includes general good practice behaviour – because actions can impact others and everyone has a role to play in getting it right.

Anyone not following these rules or behaving in an unacceptable way will be asked – and expected – to stop doing so immediately and may be removed from the event.

Read our Event Code of Conduct here.

ConnectMe

ConnectMe • Networking enhanced

All of our events utilise a bespoke dynamic smartphone app, ConnectMe – which guarantees attendees a premium event experience. Logins are sent prior to the conference commencement allowing you to check who’s attending, schedule in meetings and catch ups, participate in live Q+A and interactive polls, and much more. ConnectMe ensures you never miss a beat prior, during and post event.

Sustainability

Our Commitment to Sustainability

In Australia, we are committed to running our events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Across Informa Connect we are focusing on the short and long-term sustainability impacts we have on customers and colleagues alongside the communities we work in.

We recognise that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognising that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve.

To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.