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South Australia is establishing the Defence Innovation Partnership, a new organisation that will generate defence-related research and development activity for the state.
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South Australian Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith said the new partnership allows SA to continue putting its best foot forward as the 'Defence state' in support of the naval shipbuilding program and other key upcoming defence programs.
"Defence is a critical sector for South Australia, generating long-term employment, attracting significant investment and driving innovation," Minister Hamilton-Smith said.
"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 SA’s ability to benefit from future defence research."
The new partnership follows the establishment of a new Centre for Defence Industry Capability and the launch of a new Defence Innovation Hub, both located in Adelaide.
The Defence Innovation Partnership will connect federal and state governments, universities, local and international defence industry and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DST).
The new organisation is a partnership between the South Australian government, DST Group and three local universities; the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia.
The organisation will be funded by the South Australian government, the DST and the universities.
The South Australian government will contribute $3.67 million in funding to be allocated across five years, and the DST will contribute up to $150,000 a year.
The key aims of the program are to:
- provide a focal point to form defence related research partnerships across government, industry and academia;
- increase SA’s involvement in providing future technologies to Defence;
- increase SA's 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; and
- attract new funding from the Australian government, corporates, universities and overseas research entities by raising the defence R&D profile of SA.
SA Minster for Manufacturing and Innovation Kyam Maher said the new partnership will also complement the state's efforts to provide new defence opportunities for workers and businesses in the city's northern suburbs.
"While the state is already positioned as a leader in defence industries, we must continue to support investment in research, development and commercialisation to keep capability in the state, grow the economy and create jobs," he said.
"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."
