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The Commonwealth government has launched an independent review aimed at addressing shortcomings in the innovation, science, and technology strategy.
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David Peever, the former managing director of Rio Tinto Australia, has been tapped to lead a comprehensive review of science, innovation, and technology-oriented Defence initiatives in a bid to identify ways to more effectively deliver next-generation capabilities to the ADF.
Among Peever’s responsibilities will be reviewing the governance, management and financing of all Defence-funded innovation programs, including the Next Generation Technologies Fund and the Defence Innovation Hub.
Other terms of reference include:
- reviewing Defence organisational structure, governance and funding of the Defence innovation ecosystem;
- strengthening and improving the links between academia and industry;
- simplifying contractual arrangements to accelerate acquisitions and transitions from concept to capability;
- identifying methods to better commercialise Defence-funded research and innovation;
- refining, consolidating, and streamlining research, innovation and technology development priorities to strengthen participation of service capability managers to direct ‘mission-set’ specific innovation;
- transitioning between Defence and other departments’ innovation and manufacturing programs to support the continued development and commercialisation of technology that does not meet a direct Defence requirement.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the view would ensure the Defence ecosystem was more commercially-driven and outcomes-focused.
“We must ensure that we are taking full advantage of Australian innovations to maintain Defence’s capability edge while ensuring innovative businesses are given every chance of commercial success,” Minister Price said.
“We need a Defence organisation that can capitalise on the knowledge and skills of Australian industry and academia to develop mission-focused technology that can solve Defence’s unique capability challenges.
“Now, more than ever, we are looking to drive fit-for-purpose innovation where Australian industry and academia are partners in this critical mission.”
The minister stressed that the taxpayer-funded programs need to be scrutinised to ensure the government is investing funds appropriately.
The review is expected to build on Minister Price’s ‘five pillars’ approach, released in 2020, which outlines a new direction to support the defence industry over the next decade.
Peever, who also led the Defence First Principles Review in 2015, is scheduled to table a final report to Minister Price by the end of the year.
Programs like the Next Generation Technologies Fund and Defence Innovation Hub will continue to operate in the interval.
[Related: Defence invites industry to apply for base contracts]
