Defence suppliers back Ciobo
IT may not be the biggest industry on the Gold Coast, but local defence force industries are hoping having a local Minister will help their trade grow.
And a plethora of large defence contracts, such as Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s Land 400 Boxer CRV or the future frigates project for the Royal Australian Navy, are helping ensure that there a raft of contracts around for local companies to bid on.
CEO James Craig of Arundel-based Craig International Ballistics, Australia’s largest armour manufacturer, said having Member for Moncrieff Steve Ciobo appointed as Defence Industries Minister was “not a bad thing to be honest”.
“We had a good relationship with former minister Christopher Pyne but having a local would be fantastic to help build-up the industry’s presence on the Gold Coast,” he said. “We did meet Steve at the Land Forces Conference in Adelaide last week so he’s out and about already.”
Mr Craig said the industry was definitely growing, mainly due the success of Rheinmet-all‘s bid for the Land 400 program.
“There’s a lot of small suppliers on the Gold Coast, not a lot are supplying to defence directly.
“But there is a lot of buzz in the defence industry at the moment with a lot of companies trying to promote themselves.”
Craig International Ballistics builds armour for planes, boats and land vehicles as well as anti-attack and bullet-resistant glass, and Mr Craig said the company’s successful work for the Australian Defence Force was set to pay off in the form of potential export markets.
“We have a strong focus on creating new export markets by trying to piggyback on the success of our local market and trying for a couple of international tenders,” he said.
“We are looking to move a fairly significant proportion of our revenue to export markets in the next couple of years.
“Australia has an international reputation for buying high-quality equipment so often companies that supply to the ADF are seen as being high-quality suppliers on the back of that.”
Combat Clothing Australia managing director Stuart Bruce said Mr Ciobo’s appointment was absolutely a positive for the local industry.
“He is such an approachable as well as a talented local member who certainly responds to constituents when needed,” he said.
“He spent some time at Land Warfare Conference last week where he visited all Queensland and Gold Coast companies and he was instrumental in bringing the Land 400 vehicle to Amberley and he’s look at helping Queensland companies to partner with Rheinmetall on that deal.”
Mr Bruce said Combat Clothing Australia manufactured textile items for the Government in particular webbing, pouches, packs and clothing along with an array of different ballistic products.
“We are looking forward to expanding on that,” he said.
“We export to 26 countries and with Steve being an ex-Trade Minister it will be great to be able to pick his brain.”
Mr Ciobo said the Coalition Government was building a stronger Defence Force, to keep Australia safe and secure, by restoring the Defence funding Labor cut.
“We’re investing $195 billion in Australia’s Defence capability over the next 10 years,” he said.
“This includes the Future Submarine Build, Future Frigates, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the LAND 400 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle that’ll be built in Queensland.
“The Morrison Government is maximising the involvement of Australia’s defence industry in projects to help create and support local jobs.
“Under our leadership, the ADF is implementing Local Industry Capability Plans to ensure local businesses have more opportunities to benefit from our unprecedented investment. The Gold Coast defence industry can tap into the supply chains created by our record investment.
“As the Morrison Government works to grow our defence exports, a local defence industry can strengthen and diversify the Gold Coast economy.”
WE DID MEET STEVE AT THE LAND FORCES CONFERENCE IN ADELAIDE LAST WEEK SO HE’S OUT AND ABOUT ALREADY.
JAMES CRAIG