South Australia is establishing the Defence Innovation Partnership, a new organisation that will generate defence-related research and development activity for the state.
Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said the new partnership allows South Australia to continue putting its best foot forward as the Defence State in support of the naval shipbuilding program and other key upcoming defence programs.
The new Defence Innovation Partnership will connect federal and state governments, the Defence Science and Technology Group, which will contribute up to $150,000 a year, universities, local and international defence industry. The new organisation is a partnership between the South Australian Government, the Defence Science and Technology Group and the three local universities; Adelaide University, Flinders University and the University of South Australia.
Background
The key aims of the program are to:
- provide a focal point to form defence related research partnerships across government, industry and academia
- increase South Australia’s involvement in providing future technologies to Defence
- increase our competitiveness for securing greater workshare in large Defence projects by developing a strong and collaborative South Australian R&D ecosystem
- provide a route to market for industry commercialisation of future technology
- attract new funding from the Australian Government, corporates, universities and overseas research entities by raising the defence R&D profile of South Australia.
The Defence Innovation Partnership is co-funded by DST Group, the universities and the South Australian Government. South Australia’s contribution of $3.67 million in funding will be allocated across five years.
It will complement the State Government’s efforts in northern Adelaide, providing new opportunities for companies and workers from other industries.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith
Defence is a critical sector for South Australia, generating long-term employment, attracting significant investment and driving innovation.
We need to continue building the momentum gained from securing such a large portion of the naval shipbuilding program. The Defence Innovation Partnership will maximise South Australia’s ability to benefit from future defence research.
Quotes attributable to Manufacturing and Innovation Minister Kyam Maher
Innovation through connecting government, the research sector and the private sector is one of the key determinants of South Australia’s future prosperity.
While the state is already positioned as a leader in defence industries, we must continue to support investment in research, development and comercialisation to keep capability in the state, grow the economy and create jobs.
With much of our defence industries located in northern Adelaide, the Defence Innovation Partnership will facilitate research and development collaborations with universities and businesses particularly in northern Adelaide, creating jobs and economic opportunities.