Leaders from Queensland's defence industries have converged on the Sunshine Coast for the second meeting of the Queensland Government's pre-eminent defence advisory body, Minister's Advisory Council on Defence Industry and Jobs.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said businesses in the region, and across the state, stand to benefit from the current boom in defence investment.
"The Commonwealth's defence capability framework has outlined planned expenditure of $195 billion over the next decade to strengthen our defence forces," Mr Dick said.
"I am determined to ensure Queensland gets its fair share of that spending, including innovative Sunshine Coast businesses like HeliMods and Praesidium Global.
"One of my top economic priorities is to accelerate the growth of Queensland's defence sector and to increase the number of Queenslanders working in defence manufacturing industries from 6000 to 10,000 in the next decade.
"It's an ambitious target but one we are well on our way to achieving."
Committee member and Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart said the defence advisory body aims to supercharge the manufacturing industry to make the most of the opportunities available in the defence sector.
"We're driving the state's defence industry capabilities forward at a rapid rate and continuing to be a leader in defence technology, research and development," Mr Stewart said.
"This is an exciting time of strong growth for the defence industry in the khaki state."
Membership of the Minister's Advisory Council on Defence Industry and Jobs includes Queensland's Chief Defence Advisor and Strategic Defence Advisor for Land, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC (Retd).
"Mr Leahy, alongside other strategic defence advisors and respected industry leaders, are helping to drive Queensland's defence agenda and shape government policies and programs for building industry capability and competitiveness," Mr Dick said.
"Their expertise and experience gives us a valuable perspective on industry challenges and new opportunities as we grow Queensland's defence industry through the implementation of our Queensland Defence Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan."
