Northern Australia Defence Summit
Hosted by the NT Government, this policy-driven event will look at the opportunities for Australia’s Defence industry in Northern Australia.
29 May 2024
Darwin Convention Centre
Overview
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.
2023 Speakers
The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP
Assistant Minister for Defence
Hon Natasha Fyles
Chief Minister of Northern Territory Government
Air Commodore Ron Tilley
Director General – Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch – Infrastructure Division -Security and Estate Group, Department of Defence
Rear Admiral Justin Jones, CSC,
Commander Maritime Border Command, Royal Australian Navy
Captain Moses Raudino
Commanding Officer,
HMAS Coonawarra
Tracey Lines
Assistant Infrastructure Commissioner of the Northern Territory, Infrastructure NT
LTCOL Steven Medlin
Commanding Officer – NORFORCE,
Department of Defence
LTCOL Mathew Gill
1st Brigade,
Australian Army
Colin Drysdale
Assistant Commissioner North,
Australian Border Force
Naomi Anstess
General Manager – Indigenous Business Growth, Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network
Dr Stuart Thomson
Director for BD ad Strategic Partnerships, Charles Darwin University
Allan Schmidt
Defence Adviser,
Sitzler
Stephen Densmore
National Manager Defence Sustainment Solutions, Ventia
Stephen Goodall
Chief Policy Officer, Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce
Mick Crossman
Senior Advisor – Defence,
Austrade
The Hon Luke Gosling MP
Chair of Standing Committee on Regional Development
Anita Borella
Defence Sector Engagement Lead, Sitzler
Matt Punch
Director – Integrated Infrastructure, PwC Australia
Rekeesha Fry
Senior Manager,
PwC’s Indigenous Consulting
Nick Tate
Director – Integrated Infrastructure, PwC
Don Roach
Defence & Industry Engagement, Defence Jobs Queensland
2023 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Networking Drinks Sponsor
Supporting Sponsor
Coffee Cart Sponsor
Consulting Partner
Lanyard Sponsor
Charity Partner
2023 Exhibitors
WELCOME RECEPTION
Tuesday 16th May 2023
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 Natasha Fyles MLA, Chief Minister, Northern Territory Government
17:30 – 19:00 | Main Hall, Parliament House
KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Chief Minister’s Welcome Address
The Hon Natasha Fyles MLA, Chief Minister, Northern Territory Government
2023 AGENDA
Conference Day | Wednesday 17th May 2023
07:30
Registration opens
You can collect your name badge at the Welcome Reception and fast track your entry into the Summit.
08:15
ADM ADDRESS |
Ewen Levick, Publisher, Australian Defence Magazine
08:30
OPENING | Opening remarks from the Chair
Allan Schmidt, Defence Adviser, Sitzler
08:35
MINISTERIAL ADDRESS |
The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Defence
09:00
CHIEF MINISTER’S ADDRESS |
The Hon Natasha Fyles, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
09:25
KEYNOTE | Current and future Defence infrastructure projects in Northern Australia
- The extent of Defence investment across the region
- Economic and social impact on local communities and industry
- Upgrades to Defence Estate and Infrastructure
- Timeframes, benefits and expected outcomes from underway projects
Air Commodore Ron Tilley, Director-General – Capital Facilities & Infrastructure Branch, Department of Defence
09:50
PANEL | Defence as an economic driver across Northern Australia
- Defence spending and investment and the value of this to the local economy
- Defence industry and manufacturing in the region
- Opportunities for export and access to international markets for local SMEs
- Local workforce participation and programs in place to support this
- Constructing and developing Northern Australia’s infrastructure
Mick Crossman, Senior Advisor – Defence, Austrade
Don Roach, Defence & Industry Engagement, Defence Jobs Queensland
James Bear, Senior Director, DefenceNT, NT Government
Moderator: Allan Schmidt, Defence Adviser, Sitzler
10:30
KEYNOTE | Bolstering Army’s littoral brigade capability
- Engagement and collaboration with local maritime business
- Enhancing amphibious operations
- Interoperability between Army & Navy
- The impact of technology on army littoral capability
LTCOL Mathew Gill, 1st Brigade, Australian Army
10:55
Morning Tea & Networking Break
11:30
Integrated Campaigning
- Integrated Nationally
- Integrated with Industry and Academia
- Integrated with Allies and Partners
- Civil Maritime Security
Rear Admiral Justin Jones, CSC, Commander Maritime Border Command – Commander Joint – Agency Task Force – Operation Sovereign Borders- Commander Joint Task Force 639, Royal Australian Navy
11:50
PANEL | Northern Australia in a national security context
- The geopolitical and geographical significance of Northern Australia
- How do local Defence facilities contribute to Australia’s national security and the future development of these?
- Protecting Australia’s borders: Detecting illegal activity, advancements in technology and collaboration with international partners
Colin Drysdale, Assistant Commissioner North, Australian Border Force
Rear Admiral Justin Jones, CSC, Commander Maritime Border Command – Commander Joint – Agency Task Force – Operation Sovereign Borders- Commander Joint Task Force 639, Royal Australian Navy
Moderator: Nick Tate, Director – Integrated Infrastructure, PwC
12:30
The Defence Strategic Review and the Infrastructure Response in the North, a Sitzler Perspective
With the release of the Defence Strategic Review (DSR), announcements around submarines and basing, there is a noticeable refocus on renewing the concepts around Defence capability across Australia.
The refocus has seen many strategic commentators outline the need for providing suitable infrastructure in the north, enhancing our existing air bases, occupied and bare, and more broadly, looking at how we support and defend the northern approach to Australia, protect sea lanes, and ensure our right of sovereignty is maintained.
As the Department of Defence and government adapt to achieve these objectives, we look at the response necessary and how we, as an industry can enhance our support where required, while addressing the constraints and opportunities for the North at present and into the future
Anita Borella, Defence Sector Engagement Lead, Sitzler
12:50
Lunch
13:50
How is Defence contributing the regional development and investment in infrastructure and transport?
The Hon Luke Gosling MP, Chair of Standing Committee on Regional Development
14:10
Address from Navy
CAPT Moses Raudino, Commanding Officer – HMAS Coonawarra, Royal Australian Navy
14:40
PANEL | The role of local communities in Defence activities across Northern Australia
- How engaging with local communities enhances the effectiveness of defence strategies
- Cultural engagement and inclusion of indigenous communities; outlining the value and perspective this offers Defence
- Environmental impacts: considering how best Defence can ensure minimal impact on the areas it operates
- Supporting emergency response efforts and enhancing local community ability to manage emergencies
LTCOL Steve Medlin, Commanding Officer, NORFORCE
Naomi Anstess, General Manager – Indigenous Business Growth, Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network
Moderator: Rekeesha Fry, Senior Manager, PwC’s Indigenous Consulting
15:20
Afternoon Tea & Networking Break
15:50
Cyber Territory Skills Hub
- How will this aim to meet training and skills needs in the NT workforce?
- What opportunities will this bring?
- Engagement will local industry
Dr Teresa Schwellnus, Team Leader – Commerce & IT, Charles Darwin University
16:10
PANEL | Challenges and opportunities for the growth of Northern Australia’s Defence Industry
- Population challenges and attracting people and businesses to Northern Australia
- Capacity to educate and skill the workforce
- Supply chain and logistics obstacles
- Developing advanced and additive manufacturing technologies and facilities
Stephen Goodall, Chief Policy Officer, Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce
Dr Stuart Thomson, Director for BD ad Strategic Partnerships, Charles Darwin University
Tracey Lines, Assistant Infrastructure Commissioner of the Northern Territory Infrastructure NT – Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Northern Territory Government
Matt Punch, Director – Integrated Infrastructure, PwC Australia
Moderator: Emma Nesbitt, Managing Director, Actio Group
16:50
Closing Remarks from the Chair
Allan Schmidt, Defence Adviser, Sitzler
17:00
End of Conference & Networking Drinks
2023 Pricing
*SME is defined as organisation with fewer than 200 employees worldwide, including parent company, regardless of structure.
*Micro SME is defined as organisation with fewer than 50 employees worldwide, including parent company, regardless of structure.
*NT LOCAL SME RATE is organisation with fewer than 20 employees globally
A conference pass includes admission to each of the sessions, and the networking functions both pre and post-event.
| Packages | Late Rate |
| Conference pass – Standard Industry Rate | $1,995 + GST |
| Conference pass – Defence/ SME Rate | $1,295 + GST |
| Conference pass – NT Local SME Rate | $350 + GST |
Venue
Darwin Convention Centre
10 Stokes Hill Rd,
Darwin City NT 0800
(08) 8923 9000
NT Defence Week
NT Defence Week is a series of events designed to facilitate engagement between Defence and industry stakeholders and strengthen partnerships across Northern Australia.
Significant investment in Australia’s north has seen the Territory become a training destination, sustainment hub and forward operating base for the Australian Defence Force and our allies.
The Territory hosts a capable and resilient local defence industry which is evolving to support platforms, programs and projects coming to the region. Along with the development of strategic infrastructure, the Northern Territory is positioned as a key enabler for Defence in the Indo-Pacific region.
From the ADM Northern Australia Defence Summit, to Navy’s Plan Galileo Roadshow, the Katherine Defence Industry Roadshow and Defence Industry Networking, there is a full suite of events taking place in Katherine and Darwin. For more information on NT Defence Week and to register for events, click here