Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Sturt for the chance to celebrate the Australia-European Union Security and Defence Partnership. This agreement is important because it reflects a simple reality—that, in today's world, our security is interconnected and our response must be coordinated. This is a partnership that is not symbolic; it is practical and it is deliberately structured so. It establishes a framework to increase information sharing to counter global threats, to build the capacity to manage complex risks, and to strengthen resilience across both the Indo-Pacific and European regions. It commits Australia and the European Union to working together to combat online radicalisation and terrorism financing, recognising that security threats increasingly emerge in the digital domain just as much as in the physical one. It creates a new space security dialogue, acknowledging that the technologies we rely on, from communications to navigation, are now fundamental to both economic and national security. And, importantly, it opens up new defence procurement opportunities, strengthening cooperation between Australian and European industries and creating the pathways for shared capability development.

This is what modern security looks like, not just defence capability in isolation but collaboration across industries, across technologies and across regions. That is reinforced by the broader Australia-EU relationship, including the recently concluded free trade agreement, because economic security and defence cooperation go hand in hand. Together, these agreements recognise that supply chains, technologies and industrial capacity are central to both our prosperity and our national security.

I also want to talk about what it means at a local level. In communities like mine in Hasluck, these international partnerships translate into real opportunity. In Hasluck and across Western Australia, we have a strong and growing base of advanced manufacturing, engineering and defence related capability. When I visit local businesses, I see the kind of precision engineering and innovation that this partnership is designed to support.

At Hofmann Engineering in Ashfield, the Minister for Defence and I have seen firsthand a multigenerational Western Australian company delivering world-class manufacturing capability, supporting defence, transport and industry sectors with highly specialised engineering skills. Firms such as Aerospace NDI in Bassendean specialise in highly technical inspection and testing services using non-destructive techniques to ensure the safety and reliability of critical aerospace and defence components. Together, these kinds of businesses represent exactly the capability that this partnership is designed to support: local expertise, connected to global collaboration.

We also see the broader ecosystem across Western Australia, where more than 200 defence industry businesses contribute to our national capability, supported by world-class infrastructure and innovation. Companies like Composite Components are designing and manufacturing advanced carbon fibre and composite structure for high performance applications; companies like VEEM are producing advanced maritime components that not only strengthening Australia's sovereign defence capability but export expertise into our global supply chains; and organisations like the Australian Industry and Defence Network are helping connect small and medium-sized businesses into those supply chains, ensuring that that local capability can scale and collaborate.

We have capacity in interesting places. There is a role for companies that operate outside of the defence industry to play in supporting local manufacturing. For example, in Bayswater, we see this capability in action with businesses like Cyclowest, a radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility producing specialised medical isotopes for advanced diagnostic imaging and treatment. They are experts in handling radioactive materials safely and can assist with training and protocols for handling radioactive isotopes.

There are many kinds of organisations that stand to benefit from this deeper engagement with European partners. When we talk about defence procurement cooperation, we're also talking about building resilience to complex threats, we're talking about opening new markets and new partnerships and we're talking about strengthening our industries that underpin our national capabilities. This is exactly what this opportunity presents. I commend the bill to the House as well.

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