9:00

Opening remarks from the Chair

RADM Phil Spedding, DSC AM, RAN (rtd) Western Australia Defence Advocate

9:10

MINISTERIAL ADDRESS |

The Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA, Minister for Defence Industry – WA Government

9:20

FEDERAL MINISTERIAL ADDRESS | Building Western Australia’s Defence Future

• Investing in defence personnel capability in Western Australia
• Recruitment and retention in the ADF
• Implementation of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

The Hon Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs

9:40

KEYNOTE | Henderson Consolidation – Establishing the Commonwealth-owned Defence Precinct and best practice shipbuilding industry

RADM Michael Houghton, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships – Naval Shipbuilding & Sustainment Group (NSSG), Department of Defence
Helen Loundes, Assistant Secretary – Henderson Consolidation – Naval Shipbuilding & Sustainment Group (NSSG), Department of Defence

10:10

KEYNOTE | Western Australia’s Defence Industry Strategy

• Overview of the WA Defence and Defence Industry Strategy 2025
• Priorities for WA’s Defence sector
• How is WA positioning itself within the wider Australian defence ecosystem

Linda Dawson, Head of the Office of Defence Industries, WA Government

10:40

Western Australia, an Emerging Global Hub for Disruptive Innovation

Gary Hale, Director, the National Resilience and Security Program Office, Curtin University

11:10

Morning Tea & Networking Break

11:40

INDUSTRY KEYNOTE |Developing sovereign shipbuilding and sustainment

• Sovereign capability and shipbuilding in Western Australia
• Sustainment, maintenance and lifecycle support
• Innovation and technological advancement
• Opportunities for WA industry to access Austal’s growing pipeline
• Workforce and skills development

Paddy Gregg, Chief Executive Officer, Austal

12:10

Funding WA’s Defence Industry: NAIF’s Role in Building Northern Australia’s Defence Capability

• How NAIF’s $1.8 billion commitment to Western Australia is supporting defence infrastructure
• Practical examples of defence-related projects benefiting from NAIF financing
• Navigating the NAIF application process for WA defence industry businesses
• Combining NAIF funding with other government support mechanisms for maximum impact
• Future opportunities: How NAIF can support the growth of WA’s strategic defence industries

Stephen Land, Chief Investment Officer, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility

12:30

Lunch

13:20

PANEL |Constructing Australia’s Maritime Defence Future: Infrastructure Challenges and Opportunities in Western Australia

• Critical Defence Infrastructure Development – Examining the multi-billion dollar construction requirements at Henderson shipyard and HMAS Stirling to support both AUKUS submarine rotations and SEA 3000 frigate production, including specialized facilities, maintenance buildings, and support structures needed by 2027 and beyond
• Construction Workforce and Supply Chain Challenges – Addressing how major contractors can mobilize the estimated 10,000 skilled construction workers needed while managing competition with WA’s resources sector, material supply constraints, and specialized technical requirements for nuclear-capable facilities
• Infrastructure Integration and Delivery Innovation – Exploring construction methodologies, project management approaches, and innovative delivery models that major contractors can implement to meet aggressive timelines for the Henderson defence precinct while ensuring facilities meet both Australian and international partner requirements
• Local Supply Chain Integration with Tier 1 Contractors – Analysing strategies for Western Australian businesses to effectively engage with major construction companies through supplier development programs, capability uplift initiatives, and collaborative procurement models that maximize local content while meeting the stringent quality and security requirements of defence infrastructure projects.

Stephen Land, Chief Investment Officer, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility
Matthew Theoharous, Executive General Manager, Defence and Social Infrastructure, Built
Brendan Sowry, General Manager – Defence, CPB Contractors
Mike Rinaudo, Head of Defence, DT Infrastructure
Alex Gilliland, National Defence Manager, Georgiou

14:00

Digital workforce compliance: Friend of foe for ISO accreditation

• Common pitfalls of digital transformation in workforce compliance
• Why record structure and naming conventions matter
• How poor systems can lead to failed audits
• What auditors actually want to see
• Choosing tools that grow with your business

Kareena Waters, Founder & CEO, Onecard Group

14:20

PANEL | Opportunities for SMEs to access WA Defence pipelines and global supply chains

• Understanding defence’s priorities – how can SMEs better position themselves to access work?
• What are primes looking for from local industry?
• How can SME’s access international programs?

Adam Falconer-West, Chief Executive Officer, Franmarine
Jacob Kleinman, Director Industry Development, Defence West

14:50

KEYNOTE | Defence Innovation, Science and Technology – Solving the Hard Problems

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

15:15

PANEL | Advancing Defence Innovation in Western Australia

• Forging strategic partnerships between WA’s defence industry and academia
• Innovating in Uncertain Times – Defence challenges and bridging innovation gaps in a shifting geopolitical landscape
• Environmental and geographical challenges
• How can local defence ecosystems support innovation?
• Emerging and next generation technologies
• Workforce and skilling challenges

Scott Elson, Director of Business Development, L3Harris
Dr Troy Lee-Brown, Research Fellow, University of Western Australia Defence and Security Institute
Harry Hubbert, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Greenroom Robotics
Brent Sadler, Senior Research Fellow, Naval Warfare and Advanced Technology, Allison Center for National Security, The Heritage Foundation
Moderator: Dr Sam Jackson, Associate Director – Defence Science and Technology Group, Department of Defence

15:45

Afternoon Tea & Networking Break

16:10

Navigating Export Controls Reform: Implications for Western Australia’s Defence

• What are the key changes?
• Understanding and complying with export controls
• Specific impacts on Western Australian industries

Shashank Ramakrishna, Director, SAHR

16:30

PANEL | Building and sustaining a Defence workforce

• What are the skills required by Defence and industry in WA?
• Upskilling and reskilling
• Collaboration with universities, TAFE and training providers
• Implications of AUKUS on WA’s talent pool

Andrew Widdis, Executive Director – Defence, South Metropolitan TAFE
Gary Hale, Director National Resilience & Security Program Office (NRAS), Curtin University
Matt Kirk, Director Security Clearances, WorkSec – Trusted WorkForce

17:00

Closing Remarks from the Chair

17:05

End of Conference and Networking Drinks