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More than 300 defence industry professionals and company representatives have gathered for the Defence Connect DSR Summit hosted by Momentum Media this week.
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Conversation flowed freely as the MC, the Hon Christopher Pyne, charmed guest speakers and the audience alike at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney on 3 May.
The central event for defence industry and the strategic policy community explored the impact of the Albanese government’s Defence Strategic Review (DSR), released on 24 April.
National policy insight was delivered by federal government guests, acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry and for International Development and the Pacific.
Industry guest speakers included Strategic Analysis Australia director Peter Jennings, Australian Industry Group defence and industry policy head and Ai Group Defence Council executive director Kate Louis, Bondi Partners senior adviser Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Mark Purcell, Australian Industry and Defence Network chief executive officer Brent Clark, and Investment NSW Trade and Investment group managing director Kylie Bell.
Momentum Media law, defence, and aerospace commercial growth director William Magee said it was a hugely informative day and a privilege to be able to bring industry together.
“It was a real privilege to be able to bring the industry together at such a formative time in its evolution,” he said after the event.
“We were really humbled by the response and turnout to the event; it really underpins industry’s appetite to understand and capitalise on what the DSR means for them.
Magee said guests attended from across Australia for the thought-provoking and insightful discussion on show at the event.
“As the government has reinforced, the Defence Strategic Review is the most important reorientation of Australia’s strategic capabilities since the Second World War,” he said.
“The Defence Strategic Review will help shape Australia’s strategic posture for coming years, and we sought to interpret the recommendations for defence industry, who will play a critical role in its execution.”
The event was live streamed on Sky News and the ABC, with media presence from The Daily Telegraph and other news outlets. Audience members and the general public were able to submit their own questions to speakers using a live Q&A session.
Cyber Security Connect partnership manager Matt Oliver, who attended the event after joining Momentum Media on 30 March, said it was an auspicious day to meet company representatives and hear from key policymakers at the summit.
“We were fortunate to hear from Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy MP among defence industry and industry association leaders discussing the implications of the recently released Defence Strategic Review,” he said.
“With particular interest, we heard with greater detail the government’s identification of the cyber domain as a critically important aspect of our national security and the provisions in the government’s response to the DSR to propel cyber warfare capabilities to the forefront of Australia’s national security priorities.
“Another fantastic and critically relevant event by the Momentum team with such a short turnaround.”
Oliver said he is looking forward to seeing the next event for the inaugural Cyber Security Connect Australian Cyber Security Summit and Awards in June.
The Defence Connect DSR Summit was run with the support of principal partner Investment NSW and engagement partner Pyne & Partners.
The event was momentarily interrupted by a Sydney anti-AUKUS coalition protester who interrupted a discussion involving acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, before leaving the venue.
