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The eighth rotation of Task Group Taji were officially farewelled today, at a parade at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane, in front of a crowd of family and friends.  The rotation, made up of approximately 300 Brisbane-based Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, will help train the Iraqi Security Forces in their efforts to defeat Daesh. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said, the eighth rotation of Task Group Taji will continue to build on the legacy of previous rotations.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced another Australian export success with Brisbane firm, Ferra Engineering signing a contract with Thales Germany, creating up to 25 Australian jobs. Minister Pyne congratulated Ferra Engineering on being contracted for the manufacture of sub-assemblies for Phoenice, Thales’ tactical navigation radar system for submarines.

Joint media release Sen the Hon Amanda Stoker The Morrison Government has awarded a $3.3 million contract to a Brisbane robotics and AI company to develop an unmanned combat vehicle the likes of which has never been made in Australia. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price welcomed the investment in Cyborg Dynamics Engineering to develop its semi-autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV).   The contract is the company’s first with the Defence Innovation Hub.

Joint media release:  Member for Ryan, Julian Simmonds MP A leading Indigenous construction and facility maintenance business has been awarded a $3.8 million contract for works at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, delivering a jobs boost in the Ryan electorate. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the Morrison Government’s contract with Kennelly Constructions Pty Ltd was part of its commitment to maximise Australian industry involvement in its $270 billion investment in defence capability.

Friends and family of the nearly 300 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel about to deploy to Iraq on Operation OKRA said their goodbyes during a parade at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane today. The ADF contingent, bound for the Taji Military Complex 20km north of Baghdad, consists primarily of soldiers from Brisbane’s 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) and will form the ninth rotation of Task Group Taji.

The Turnbull Government’s first priority continues to be the safety and security of Australia and its people. The 2017–18 Budget provides funding to deliver:

The Turnbull Government’s first priority continues to be the safety and security of Australia and its people. The 2017–18 Budget provides funding to deliver: on our ongoing commitments to Defence Operations around the globe, ensuring safety and security at home and secure maritime borders; the capability plans set out in the 2016 Defence White Paper through the Defence Integrated Investment Program; and the strategies outlined in the Defence Industry Policy Statement to reshape and refocus the Defence and industry partnership.

Joint media release: 

The Albanese Government is making it easier for Australian industry to tap into a multi‑billion dollar, multi-decade opportunity in support of AUKUS and Australia’s submarine industrial base as we build, operate and maintain our future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. 

The Albanese Government is building a future made in Australia by helping students pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with critical funding for educational pathways that can lead to a career in Australia’s defence industry. Ten new grants through the Schools Pathways Program will go to organisations, enabling them to collaborate with schools and educational institutions to deliver innovative programs across the STEM domains.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon David Fawcett today hosted Malaysia’s Deputy Defence Minister, Senator Liew Chin Tong, to discuss Australia-Malaysia defence relations. The Defence Cooperation Program with Malaysia is Australia’s oldest in South East Asia encompassing a wide range of engagement activities including training, attachments, senior visits, exercises and strategic dialogue.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP today congratulated 11 Australian businesses who have received a total of nearly $5 million to help them to grow our nation’s defence industry capability. The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants program supports eligible Australian small to medium-sized companies who can provide significant contributions to our Defence industry needs.

Joint media release Assistant Treasurer & Minister for Housing, the Hon Michael Sukkar MP A prime development site on the banks of the Brisbane River has been sold, with developer Shayher Group acquiring the previously Defence-owned land for a proposed housing development. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, and Minister for Housing, the Hon Michael Sukkar MP, announced the $63 million settlement of Bulimba Barracks had occurred earlier today.

Statement from Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan on the announcement that a project to build wind farms at the site of the Battle of Bullecourt would not proceed. "What a great reminder that we will never forget," Mr Tehan said. "This is wonderful news for every Australian and especially those with a family connection to the Battle of Bullecourt. “Some 2300 Australians who died at Bullecourt have no known grave and Australians were rightly concerned about the potential impact of a construction project at the site.

Defence will have new arrangements in place to deliver health services to Australian Defence Force (ADF) members from 1 July 2019. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP today announced that Bupa Health Services Pty Ltd was awarded the ADF Health Services Contract, which was signed today, for the provision of health services to Defence members. These arrangements support the delivery of a range of primary and specialist health services at both on-base health facilities and through a comprehensive network of off-base service providers.

Joint media release The Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister The Hon David Littleproud MP, Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management Our country is facing devastating and widespread national bushfires. They have been burning throughout the country for months now but today is shaping up as our most challenging day, with a state of emergency declared in NSW and Victoria while Tasmania and South Australia also face significant threats.

Army is looking to the future, unveiling an ‘electric Bushmaster’; the electric Protected Military Vehicle (ePMV). Assistant Minister for Defence the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP said the ePMV was a key part of Army’s efforts to become Future Ready. “We have seen great success with Australian designed and built vehicles keeping personnel safe under fire and the new ePMV represents the next innovative stage in that tradition,” Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite said.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne today welcomed the sale of 10 refurbished Australian Defence Force Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles to Fiji to support the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ United Nations peacekeeping missions at the Golan Heights and in Syria. “Fiji will use the vehicles to form part of the force protection mix that protects UN Observers in the Golan Heights and Syria, which includes Australian Defence Force personnel,” Minister Payne said.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne today announced the appointment of Townsville business leader and former Army Officer Mick Reilly as the dedicated Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative Business and Community Liaison. Minister Payne said the Business and Community Liaison will lead local engagement for the Initiative on behalf of Defence, keeping community leaders and local elected representatives informed. Mr Reilly has lived in North Queensland for the past 20 years and has extensive links with the local business community.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Dan Tehan has called for more Australian businesses and ex-service organisations to step up and support the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program. Mr Tehan said 23 organisations had registered their interest in participating in the Industry Advisory Committee and eight ex-service organisations had registered to participate in the program since its launch in November. A number of companies have also expressed interest in offering employment opportunities to veterans.

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Issued by Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Acting Defence Minister  Joint media release: Melissa Price, Minister for Defence Industry and Warren Entsch, Member for Leichhardt Two North Queensland businesses will build seven new watercraft as part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to strengthening the Australian Army’s amphibious capability.The vessels, which will be built locally in Cairns, will assist Army amphibious operations and support systems.

Joint Media Release:  Member for Leichhardt, the Hon Warren Entsch MP The Royal Australian Navy is growing its fleet and retaining its edge through a major maintenance contract in Cairns, delivering jobs and security in Far North Queensland. Minister for Defence, the Hon Peter Dutton MP announced NORSTA Maritime as the Regional Maintenance Provider to deliver the Cairns Regional Maintenance Centre – otherwise known as RMC North East.

Joint media release Member for Leichhardt, Mr Warren Entsch MP   HMAS Armidale has undocked in Cairns after undergoing a major servicing and restoration project, which invested more than $5 million into the local economy. Local Cairns businesses played an essential role in delivering this key project for the Royal Australian Navy.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP and Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch today announced the delivery of the Coalition’s election commitment to provide $24 million toward the upgrade of the Cairns Marine Precinct.   The Cairns Marine Precinct provides vital facilities and support services to our Defence Force whilst providing a critical contribution to the local economy and local jobs.  

Joint media release Federal Member for Leichardt, the Hon Warren Entsch MP   The Australian Defence Force will use home-grown Australian equipment to keep Australians on the front line safe from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. Leidos Australia will partner with a Cairns small business to deliver the equipment, proving the Australian defence industry is producing world-class capabilities right here at home.

Australian defence companies will again be provided the opportunity to showcase their world-class capabilities around the globe, with applications opening today for the third edition of the Australian Military Sales Catalogue. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, called on Australian defence companies to submit their applications for inclusion in the 2019 edition of the Catalogue.

Joint Media Release Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Linda Reynolds The Coalition Government continues to create new opportunities for Australian industry in the Attack class submarine program. Expressions of Interest have been released for the supply and installation of 18 major items of equipment for the Submarine construction yard at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.

If you’re passionate about cyber security and interested in how you can help defend and protect our nation in cyberspace, the 2021 ADF Cyber Gap Program could be for you. Australian citizens who are already studying or enrolling in a cyber-related qualification can now apply online to be part of the program, which is open to 250 students next year. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the ADF is looking for a diverse group of applicants who are interested in a career with Defence.

Joint media release Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace MP   Leading Caloundra aerospace company HeliMods has won more support from the Morrison Government to help it reach new opportunities in global markets. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price today announced the Sunshine Coast business has received $150,000 under the Defence Global Competitiveness Grants program.