Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Fawcett, as you know the CDIC will be headquartered in Adelaide just to start with. We know that South Australia is home to many innovative and leading-edge small to medium enterprises, particularly in the defence sector. Last week, I had the opportunity to visit a very impressive business called Fugro LADS, which supports the Navy in particular by providing laser airborne depth sounder capability using highly innovative technology that originally came from DSTO, as it then was. It is actually mapping the process we want to ensure the Centre for Defence Industry Capability can help Australian industry with. Over the coming years, as that significant acquisition program that we have spoken about before in the chamber unfolds, I know that your home state of South Australia, Senator Fawcett, will grow even more as a defence industry centre. For example, I note the government's commitment to constructing the $30 billion Future Frigates in Adelaide just for starters. So having the CDIC also headquartered in Adelaide will position those small to medium enterprises in South Australia to work closely with Defence. (Time expired)