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

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, 1^st 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