South Australians have switched on to a shift in time-zone

The State Government has received a tremendous response to the first month of consultation on the merits of changing South Australia’s time-zone. The Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton-Smith who is leading the consultation process said the State Government has been inundated with hundreds of submissions. “It has been encouraging to read the high…

South Australia – An open door to South East Asia

South Australia has a strong historic connection with South East Asia. The tenth Governor of South Australia, Sir William Francis Jervois, was for two years the Governor of the Straits Settlements before assuming the position of Governor of South Australia in October 1877. The current Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Governor Hieu Van Le,…

South Australia’s aerospace and systems expertise on world stage

South Australia’s aerospace and systems expertise has been showcased to the world at the Avalon Airshow this week. The Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith said Avalon is the largest aviation aerospace and defence exposition in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring 600 exhibitors from around the world, including 80 overseas delegations of senior military, government, scientific…

New Aerospace Alliance aims to take local industry global

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE BUSINESS WEEKLY: South Australian Minister for Defence Martin Hamilton-Smith officially launched at the Avalon Airshow a new alliance that aims to reposition local industry on the global stage as rapid changes in technology and business practices take hold across the aerospace industry. Speaking to the Australia-UK Industry Roundtable, Hamilton-Smith said: “It is no…

Federal Government’s past promises a distant dream

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has provided the clearest indication yet that the Federal Government is moving to break its promise to South Australians. South Australian Minister for Defence Industries said the announcements fall well short of the unqualified promise made to Australian industry and workers prior to the Federal election, that there would be…

South Australia to build on defence strengths

Premier Jay Weatherill and Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton Smith today launched a 10-year strategy for South Australia’s defence sector. Speaking to a 100-strong audience of Defence and industry leaders, Premier Weatherill reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the defence sector. “Defence is a critical sector for South Australia,” Mr Weatherill said. “It is a…

South Australia primed to build Australian Army vehicles

South Australia stands ready to build and support Australia’s next generation Armoured Fighting Vehicles. The Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith welcomed the Federal Government’s Request for Tender for initial vehicles to be acquired under Defence Project Land 400. “It is pleasing that the Request for Tender for Land 400 Phase 2 is now open.…

Australia’s first aerospace cluster blasts into Adelaide

South Australia’s status as an international leader in aerospace development has been enhanced with the establishment of Australia’s first aerospace cluster. Manufacturing and Innovation Minister Kyam Maher has today officially launched the Australian Aerospace Alliance. The Minister said the Alliance was aimed at encouraging collaboration with the state’s defence and commercial aerospace sectors. “The Alliance…

Federal Government continues to fuel uncertainty in submarines purchase

Today’s announcement by the Federal Government and the State Liberals that there will be a ‘competitive evaluation process’ has created further uncertainty surrounding the future of naval shipbuilding in Australia. Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith said only a proper project definition study and a transparent competitive tender, which is contingent on construction occurring in…