Katherine Ziesing | Canberra

NSW’s new Industry Minister Niall Blair launched a strategy to drive growth across the NSW defence industry this week. The strategy will provide a major boost to regional NSW, strengthen the economy and further support Australia’s defence needs, according to a statement from the Minister.

Blair said the NSW Government Defence and Industry Strategy – Strong, Smart and Connected – includes the establishment of a new central coordination body– Defence NSW.

“With the Australian Government’s Defence White Paper outlining programs and acquisitions worth more than $195 billion over the coming decade, it’s vital that NSW positions itself to take advantage of the significant opportunities for growth.

“It is critical that the Government continues to show the leadership needed to support a thriving NSW defence industry.” 

“Every $1 billion in Commonwealth defence spending we can attract to NSW will boost our Gross State Product by $1.4 billion and support up to 10,000 jobs across the economy.

“Through Defence NSW, we will work with the Commonwealth and other States and Territories to move towards a more national approach to meeting Australia’s Defence needs.

“This detailed strategy will provide a coordinated, whole of government approach to prioritise the defence sector as a key driver of growth and innovation across industry, especially in regional NSW,” he said.

 Blair said Defence NSW would be based in Western Sydney and target the delivery of major projects including the Joint Strike Fighter, Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (Land 400).

"AIDN NSW is heartened by this initiative from the NSW Government and Industry Minister Niall Blair," Medhat Wassef, President of Australian Industry & Defence Network NSW (AIDN NSW) said. "This is an excellent next step in the long term partnership between Government and the defence industry in NSW with the formation of Defence NSW and recognition of the critical importance of SMEs in the industry.

"It is critical that the Government continues to show the leadership needed to support a thriving NSW defence industry and we look forward to continuing the strong collaboration with them and the NSW Defence Advocate Air Marshal John Harvey to achieve the Strategy's objectives."

 It will also focus on major maritime programs like Future Submarines, Offshore Patrol Vessels, and Future Frigate.

"One of the five main strategies in the Defence and Industry Strategy is to sustain and grow the defence industry across regional NSW, and I couldn’t be more pleased to say we are expecting this work will boost economies across the state, particularly in the Hunter, Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Riverina, Northern NSW and Capital regions,” Blair said.

"HunterNet applauds the effort that has delivered the strategy and the Government’s wisdom in identifying the potential that exists within the sector for NSW, and especially in recognising our regional strengths," Tony Cade, CEO of Hunternet said. "Delivering on this potential will require a long term commitment and investment by the NSW Government, and continued collaboration with industry, and Hunternet is looking forward to working with Defence NSW."

"One of the five main strategies in the Defence and Industry Strategy is to sustain and grow the defence industry across regional NSW."