ADVOCATING FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S DEFENCE SECTOR: REFLECTING ON THE FIRST FOUR YEARS

By RADM Raydon Gates AO CSM (Rtd),

former WA Defence Advocate

As I have now completed my four-year term as the inaugural Defence Advocate for Western Australia, there is much to reflect on. It seems a long time ago that the Australian Government released the 2016 Defence White Paper and the associated Defence Integrated Investment Program and Defence Industry Policy Statement.

The DIPS provided the foundation for greater levels of cooperation between Defence and industry, to ensure defence capability needs met the comprehensive long-term plan for Australia’s defence, as set out in the White Paper. This commitment was buttressed by a large investment to modernise Australia’s Defence capability.

In early 2017, the newly elected McGowan government set out a plan to diversify the WA economy and identified the defence industry as a priority area to support this plan. Minister Paul Papalia assumed responsibility for the new Defence Issues (now Defence Industry) portfolio, and in May 2017 the Office of Defence West was established. Three months later, I was appointed by Premier Mark McGowan as the inaugural WA Defence Advocate to represent the interests of the state on behalf of local industry, and help attract Defence opportunities to the state, so as to deliver projects in support of the ADF.

To meet the Premier and Minister’s request to actually define what WA’s defence industry capacities were, the small team of three at Defence West, plus myself (with much additional assistance) conducted an audit and produced the state’s first Defence Industry Capabilities Directory. Further, and most importantly, MAJGEN Jeff Sengelman (Rtd) drafted the 2018 Western Australian Defence and Defence Industries Strategic Plan - the first time a WA government had committed to such a plan. As well as supporting a strong defence presence (including veterans), growing capability (including skills and training) and expanding infrastructure, the plan led to the formation of the important Defence Science Centre. This plan stands today.

Noting that half of the Royal Australian Navy fleet is based in Perth, the 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan states that apart from the highly technical future frigate and submarine projects, the other future navy (and possibly army) vessels will be built in WA. Importantly, the maintenance and sustainment work will continue to be done in the west. The WA government has made significant financial commitments and commenced a strategic infrastructure and land use plan at Henderson to ensure WA will meet the challenges required to conduct this ongoing critical work, including workforce skills and training.

A mature organisation slowly grew. Senior leadership positions were appointed to both Defence West and the Defence Science Centre. Specialist attention could now be applied to infrastructure development, strategy and governance, defence industry development and veterans’ issues. There was increased engagement with the nearly 300 SMEs in WA’s defence industry community, and increased collaboration with the ‘Team WA’ universities, including training and skills development institutions.

Over time, early established working groups matured into the Defence Advisory Forum, which

Former WA Defence Advocate Raydon Gates addressing dignatiries at the Defence Science Centre launch function held at the CORE Innovation Hub in June 2019. © JTSI.

now reports directly to the Minister for Defence Industry. What I found particularly pleasing about this collaborative work was the increasing involvement in the state with the prime defence contractors and defence industry associations.

With the re-election of the McGowan government, the commitment to defence industry has continued apace and will ensure a continuity of policy and a consistent approach. The Minister has been a strong advocate for defence industry in WA, demonstrated by his personal attendance at major trade shows and expositions promoting WA’s capabilities. At the Pacific 2017 International Maritime Exposition there was, for the first time, a state government stand at which local SMEs were supported, and around which other WA companies could coalesce in a united front. Significantly, WA’s defence industry, education and research capability has been represented at every major trade show since this exposition.

Over these past four years the majority of my work has been conducted in the Australian Capital Territory engaging with federal politicians, Defence and the many primes headquartered in Canberra. A strong and capable defence industry is essential to delivering our modernised defence capabilities.

During this period, the Australian Government has released a number of key documents for continued business development that should be on the desks of all defence industry executives and leaders. These include the Defence Integrated Investment Program, Defence Industry Capability Plan, Defence Export Strategy (with the crucial appointment of a Defence Export Advocate), Defence

On 26 March 2021, Raydon Gates chaired a high-level WA DEFENCE REVIEW VIP Luncheon at The Kwinana Local, which explored the topic: “Future of the Western Trade Coast & Its Implications for Australia’s Defence Sector”. © WA DEFENCE REVIEW. Photographer: John-Frank James.

Industry Skilling and STEM Strategy, 2019 Defence Policy for Industry Participation, Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities, and Australian Industry Capability Program.

Appreciating the rapidly changing geo-strategic environment in the region, mid last year the Australian Government released the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan. These important documents detail the government’s intentions for new and adjusted ADF capability investments to implement the new strategic objectives. Australia now faces a changed environment with increasing competition, the introduction of more capable military systems enabled by technological change, and the increasingly aggressive use of diverse grey-zone tactics to coerce states under the threshold for a conventional military response.

Nationally, the government is investing a historic $270bn across the next 10 years on Defence capabilities, including strike weapons, cyber capabilities and a hightech underwater surveillance system. This is an unprecedented program of investment and opportunity for defence industry and reinforces the Australian Government’s commitment to build a sovereign, resilient and internationally competitive defence industrial base. PLANNING AHEAD

Over the next decade and beyond, the demand will increase for Australian workers with trade, technical and science and technology skills to build and maintain fleets of new ships, submarines, armoured vehicles, infrastructure and facilities, and contribute to Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), cyber, and other electronic and information-based capabilities. Defence industry is a fundamental input to capability and Defence, industry, state and territory governments. The research and education sector too will be working together to grow the defence industry. Australian design, construction, integration, sustainment, services and support capabilities will all be critical.

Readers will be well aware of major Defence acquisition programs occurring throughout Australia and the amount of work already won by WA companies, but we need to be cognisant of future requirements and therefore opportunities. WA needs to look at the increasing opportunities, significantly enhancing our capabilities in ISR, space, electronic warfare and cyber. Just as important, but often overlooked, will be investment in advanced training, modern equipment and health care and logistic systems.

Noting that half of the Royal Australian Navy fleet is based in Perth the 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan states that apart from the highly technical future frigate and submarine projects, the other future navy (and possibly army) vessels will be built in WA. Importantly the maintenance and sustainment work will continue to be done in the west. . The WA government has made significant financial commitments and

In recognition of his dedication and service to WA as the state’s first Defence Advocate, a farewell ceremony was held in his honour in June 2021 attended by a large gathering of defence industry decision-makers at ANZAC House in Perth. L-R: Minister for Defence Industry and Veterans Issues, the Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA, RADM Raydon Gates (Rtd), Governor of Western Australia, the Hon Kim Beazley AC and the Director General of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Rebecca Brown.

commenced a strategic infrastructure and land use plan at Henderson to ensure WA will meet the challenges required to conduct this ongoing critical work, including workforce skills and training. ROBUST, FOCUSED & COLLABORATIVE

And of course there’s COVID-19! Counter-intuitively, the pandemic was my busiest time as the WA Defence Advocate. Almost immediately at the outbreak of the pandemic the defence ministers and the Department of Defence reached out to the prime contractors, defence advocates and the defence associations to reinforce that defence industry remained a priority for the Commonwealth government, and to recognise their importance in supporting the ADF.

Weekly teleconferences with the Minister for Defence Industry and the Department of Defence in Canberra, particularly the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group and Defence Industry Policy Division, were an example of that commitment. The continual communication through those weekly meetings ensured that Defence West and I were able to provide timely messaging to the broader defence environment in WA.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Minister Papalia for his continued confidence in me, the support of WA Governor Kim Beazley, plus the cooperation of the Defence West team throughout my tenure. I hand over knowing defence industry in WA is robust, focused, and collaborative. While there will be challenges, I see nothing but a bright future. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve as the inaugural WA Defence Advocate.

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