Overview

    The 3rd Annual Western Australia Defence Forum will take place at the Pan Pacific Perth on 22 August 2025. This will be a high-level policy-driven forum, focusing on creating strategic sovereign maritime capability in the West, upgrading and maintaining Defence estate and infrastructure, as well as fostering a strengthened local Defence industry.

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    A special Defence and SME discounted rate is available to attend – see below for details.

    Exhibitors

    Speakers


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


    Captain Ken Burleigh
    Commanding Officer HMAS Stirling


    Brigadier Amanda Williamson
    Commander – 13th Brigade, Australian Army


    Deb Hamblin
    Mayor,
    City of Rockingham


    The Hon David Johnston
    Chair,
    UWA Defence & Security Institute


    Mike Deeks CSC
    Group Managing Director, Blue Ocean MTS


    Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy
    Research Director,
    Perth USAsia Centre


    Gary Hale
    Director, NRAS – Chief Security Officer (CSO) – National Resilience & Security (NRAS), Curtin University


    Hiromi Fujisaki
    Program Director, WA Defence Workforce Strategy, Department of Training and Workforce Development, WA Government


    Brenda Micale
    General Manager – Training Services, South Metropolitan TAFE


    Olivia Agate
    Senior Talent Acquisition – Early Careers and Industry Engagement Advisor, Navantia


    Gavin Gillett
    Solutions Architect, Nova Systems


    Richard Baker
    President,
    AIDN


    Prof Gia Parish
    Director, UWA Defence & Security Institute


    Jason Miezio
    Defence Sector Lead,
    Sitzler


    Matthew Theoharous
    Executive General Manager,
    Lendlease

    AGENDA

    8:50

    Opening Remarks from the Chair

    Prof Gia Parish, Director, UWA Defence & Security Institute

    9:00

    Welcome from the Mayor |

    Deb Hamblin, Mayor, City of Rockingham

    9:10

    MINISTERIAL ADDRESS |

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

    9:30

    The Indian Ocean and its Impact on Australia

    • Economic interests and energy security: the importance of Indian Ocean maritime trade
    • Strategic partnerships and proactive engagement in regional security
    • Emerging security threats in the region

    Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy, Research Director, Perth USAsia Centre

    10:00

    In Conversation | Navigating challenges and opportunities delivering Defence Infrastructure projects in WA

    • Exploring key challenges faces in delivering defence infrastructure
    • Opportunities to improve the success of projects
    • Innovative approaches to overcoming challenges

    Jason Miezio, Defence Sector Lead, Sitzler
    Matthew Theoharous, Executive General Manager, Lendlease

    10:30

    Morning Tea

    11:00

    KEYNOTE |The strategic significance of HMAS Stirling in assisting Australia’s Defence Capability

    • Managing and maintaining Australia’s largest naval base
    • Creating a modern, dynamic and innovative workplace
    • Future expansion plans

    CAPT Ken Burleigh, Commanding Officer, HMAS Stirling

    11:30

    KEYNOTE | Challenges in the Indo-Pacific and Western Australia’s strategic significance to Army

    • 13th Brigades role ensuring the protection of WA
    • Challenges for Army operating in WA
    • Security threats and challenges in the region and their impact of WA

    Brigadier Amanda Williamson, Commander – 13th Brigade, Australian Army

    12:00

    Western Australia’s vital role in AUKUS security imperatives

    • WA’s strategic maritime location
    • Driving WA’s defence industry through innovation and alliances
    • Safeguarding critical infrastructure

    Bill Scanlan, Partner Infrastructure Advisory, EY

    12:30

    Lunch

    13:30

    PANEL | Economic value and opportunities from AUKUS and increased Defence investment in Western Australia   

    • Collaboration and partnerships with neighbours and allies
    • Innovation hubs and maximising the value of technology advances
    • Local industry engagement and accessing growing defence supply chains

    Gary Hale, Director, NRAS – Chief Security Officer (CSO) – National Resilience & Security (NRAS), Curtin University
    Richard Baker, President, AIDN
    Carlos Fortuna, Committee Member AIDN WA

    14:05

    Australia’s role in the Indo-Pacific and Western Australia’s position within this

    • Risks and opportunities created by evolving geopolitics
    • Collaboration between government, industry and research institutions to develop WA’s defence capability and industry
    • Driving innovation in technology

    The Hon. David Johnston, Chair – Defence and Security Institute, University of Western Australia

    14:40

    PANEL | Strategies for Ensuring a Skilled Workforce

    • Investing in continuous training and development programs
    • Targeted recruitment strategies
    • Collaborative education partnerships
    • Talent retention and employee satisfaction

    Brenda Micale, General Manager – Training Services, South Metropolitan TAFE
    Olivia Agate, Senior Talent Acquisition – Early Careers and Industry Engagement Advisor, Navantia
    Hiromi Fujisaki, Program Director, WA Defence Workforce Strategy, Department of Training and Workforce Development, WA Government

    15:20

    Afternoon Tea & Networking Break

    15:50

    Automation & Robotics

    • In a mining context
      – History of Mining Automation and a journey over time
      – Problem state, Acceleration event and use cases & roadmap
    • The future of defence
      – Milestone One – The automated logistics chain
      – Milestone Two – Automating the kill chain via decision support
      – Milestone Three – Soldier robotic teaming via Soft Programming

    Gavin Gillett, Solutions Architect, Nova Systems

    16:20

    How is current Defence strategy. AUKUS and the DSR are impacting SMEs?

    • Challenges faced by SME’s attempting to operate in Defence
    • Local industry initiatives: How are these viewed by SMEs?
    • Procurement and defence contract complexities
    • Developing relationships and how SMEs can maximise opportunities in Defence

    Mike Deeks CSC, Group Managing Director, Blue Ocean MTS

    16:50

    Closing remarks from the Chair

    Prof Gia Parish, Director, UWA Defence & Security Institute

    17:00

    Networking Drinks

    Pricing

    *SME is defined as organisation with fewer than 200 employees worldwide, including parent company, regardless of structure.

    ADF & Department of Defence – Free (must be registered by Thurs 14th March)
    Please register for ADF/Dept Defence pass by emailing info@informa.com.au

    Packages Standard Rate
    Conference pass – Standard Industry Rate $1,395 + GST
    Conference pass – SME Rate $595 + GST

    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.

    Event 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, and how to report anything witnessed or experienced that goes against them. Read our Event Code of Conduct here.

    Venue

    Pan Pacific Perth
    207 Adelaide Terrace,
    Perth WA 6000
    (08) 9224 7777

    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.