- Published:
- Thursday 4 February 2016
The Andrews Labor Government is helping promote and grow Victoria’s defence industry by renewing funding to the Victorian Defence Alliances.
Speaking at the DCNS Innovation Seminar in Melbourne today, Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio announced $150,000 in funding for the Australian Defence & Industry Network–Victoria (AIDN-Vic) to manage the Victorian Defence Alliances for the next 12 months.
Victoria’s defence industry includes more than 300 businesses and directly employs around 7,000 people who make equipment and provide services for defence activities.
The Victorian Defence Alliances help boost Victoria’s defence industry by bringing together companies to identify and promote the capability of Victorian companies to national and international defence organisations.
Two new alliances, Aerospace and Digital, will be established, adding to the existing Land Systems, Maritime and Submarines alliances.
The Victorian Defence Alliances will provide an up to date database of local industry capabilities, give major companies a good understanding of local supply chain capabilities, and promote Victoria’s defence industry capability to key decision makers in business and governments.
The Alliances will also help members collaborate and access Government and industry programs that support local companies, and support the Victorian Government to advocate for local industry involvement in defence procurement.
Defence is one of the key growth sectors the Andrews Labor Government has identified under the $200 million Future Industries Fund, which will drive economic growth and create jobs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio
“We are working to ensure Victoria’s defence industry secures major Commonwealth defence projects, expands into new markets and enhances our defence supply chain, which employs around 7,000 Victorians.”
“Continuing to support the Victorian Defence Alliances will help raise the profile of Victoria defence industry by promoting collaboration and team work among industry participants.”