The Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into the Performance of the Department of Defence in Supporting the Capability and Capacity of Australia’s Defence Industry.
The inquiry has particular reference to the Department of Defence’s
- support to Australia’s defence industry in meeting the current and future needs of the Australian Defence Force;
- role providing and supporting opportunities for adjacent industries to contribute to the sustainability and viability of Australia’s defence industrial capability;
- work to address the reliance of Australia’s defence industry on inputs, be they tangible or intangible, from abroad and key capabilities that could form the basis of targeted exports;
- assessment and response to the risks that interruptions to supply chains may present to the ready access to such inputs and the benefits of producing defence industry outputs in Australia;
- role in enhancing Australia’s defence industrial base by pursuing greater advanced scientific, technological and industrial cooperation through AUKUS and other defence partnerships;
- design and implementation of programmes and initiatives that seek to improve the Australian defence industry’s capability and capacity; and
- any other related matters.
The Committee is currently accepting written submissions by 14 July 2023.
The Committee is expected to report in March 2024.
