Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister to headline Defence Connect DSR Summit

The Albanese government unveiled the landmark Defence Strategic Review on Monday, 24 April 2023.

The review has been described as the most consequential evaluation of Australia’s defence capabilities since the 1980s. 

It is expected to detail the future position of the Australian Defence Force and will underpin its defence and national security posture in the Indo-Pacific.

Following this significant release, Defence Connect will host a special summit detailing the Defence Strategic Review on Wednesday, 3 May 2023 at Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney.

Run with the support of principal partner Investment NSW and engagement partner Pyne & Partners, the Defence Strategic Review Summit is a chance for the defence industry and Australia’s strategic policy community to engage directly with the ministers, thought leaders, and department decision makers responsible for delivering the findings of the review.

The jam-packed, full-day event will include speakers who will discuss the impacts and implementation of the review and answer any burning questions attendees may have at the live Q&A sessions.

Hosted by MC the Hon Christopher Pyne, join the Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence — plus a raft of other soon-to-be-released senior speakers — to unpack the DSR and gain valuable market intelligence.

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Liam Garman, editor, defence and security at Momentum Markets said, “This extremely exclusive event comes hot on the heels of the formal release of the Defence Strategic Review and will provide stakeholders with direct access to the decision makers responsible for delivering the findings of the review.”

What the review entails

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy released the Defence Strategic Review of the Australian Defence Force.

The 110-page unclassified review is expected to shape Australia’s defence policy and national security posture for decades to come.

It covers posture, acquisition, supply chain resilience, energy security, as well as international cooperation.

The six priority areas for Defence as identified in the Defence Strategic Review include:

1. The acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.
2. Enhancing the Australian Defence Force’s long-range strike capability and the domestic manufacture of munitions.
3. Developing the military’s capability to work out of Australia’s northern bases.
4. Advancing the recruitment and retention of ADF personnel.
5. Expediting the introduction of new and innovative technologies into the ADF.
6. Improving our cooperation with Australia’s Pacific neighbours.

With the government directly acknowledging that some defence projects will be slashed, the summit is the place to have your questions answered directly by the key players in defence. 

The review is poised to be the largest assessment of force structure, posture, capabilities, and preparedness in 35 years, and provides the bedrock to enable Australia to overcome security challenges beyond 2033.

“We are extremely proud of this special event, which demonstrates the connectivity and engagement Defence Connect enjoys with the highest level of Defence decision makers,” Garman added. 

The review was led by former Chief of Defence Sir Angus Houston and former Labor defence minister Stephen Smith.

Conducted over six months, the review was informed by engagements with more than 150 individuals and experts including defence officials, Australian Defence Force personnel, defence industry, national security think tanks and academics, representatives from the states and territories, and interest groups.

In addition, the leads of the review received over 360 submissions from the general public, interested parties, organisations, and state and territory governments.

In August 2022, Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Marles held a press conference in Canberra to announce the launch of the new strategic review of the Australian Defence Force.

Reactions to the review were swift and divided, with some questioning the appointment of Minister Smith.

While the Australian Defence Association said on Twitter that the appointment is “as puzzling as it is grimly ironic”, the opposition attacked the former minister’s legacy during his time in his role. 

Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Marles received the final report in February this year, and took the necessary time to consider the review and its recommendations.

Come along to the summit

This is the opportune time for the defence industry, strategic policy community, and other stakeholders to hear how this report will impact Australia’s defence posture in the future, ask questions, and network with their peers.

“This exclusive event will sell out quickly, so don’t miss out, secure your tickets today,” Garman said. 

The Defence Strategic Review Summit will be held on Wednesday, 3 May 2023 at Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney.

Places for this summit are extremely limited. A waitlist will be created on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click here to buy tickets and secure a table now. 

For more information, click here.