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 – 13^th 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