Wednesday, 31 May 2017

Senator Reynolds welcomes WA government support for Perth as a high-tech hub for Special Operations.
WA Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds is delighted WA Defence Issues Minister Paul Papalia has come on board with the proposal she put forward at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce and WA Defence Review in April.
Senator Reynolds said it’s a great sign the WA State Government are starting to move past megaphone politics and work collaboratively with Defence, industry and the Federal Government.
“WA is home to some of the best and brightest minds in the nation when it comes to defence industry and innovation. We’re also in a unique position because of the specialist technical skills developed in the resources sector, particularly in terms of remote operations, surveillance and systems monitoring.
“There’s already a great deal happening in WA as companies and research institutions take advantage of Turnbull Government programs such as the Next Generation Technologies Fund and Defence Innovation Fund.
Senator Reynolds is also pleased to support, as a member of the steering committee, the French Australian Chamber of Commerce’s initiative to establish a Technopole in Rockingham.
“The Technopole is an exciting concept because it brings industry and academia together to not only realise our potential in the high-tech manufacturing and industrial spaces, but to provide the skills we need to sustain and grow local industry.
“I commend the City of Rockingham and DCNS for supporting the initiative and welcome the interest by broader defence industry. It’s great for skills, great for jobs, and great for industrial capability development.
Senator Reynolds looks forward to working with Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne and WA State Minister for Defence Issues Paul Papalia as the proposal for Perth as a centre of excellence for special operations innovation is further developed.
“The case for WA as a hub for defence industry innovation is at its strongest when there is collaboration and cooperation between the State and