Premier

Victorian Defence Industry On Show At Pacific 2015

06 October 2015

The strength of Victoria’s defence manufacturing industry will be on show at the Pacific 2015 International Maritime Expo, which gets underway in Sydney today.

The Andrews Labor Government has supported 14 Victorian manufacturers to showcase their commercial maritime and naval defence capabilities at the three day expo.

Members of the Defence Council Victoria and the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources will also use the Pacific 2015 Expo to promote the strength of Victoria’s defence industry to senior defence decision makers and industry representatives.

Victoria’s strength in defence manufacturing was highlighted yesterday with the announcement of a $1.3 billion dollar Commonwealth contract to build the new Hawkei military vehicle in Bendigo.

The defence industry contributes up to $8 billion to Victoria’s economy. It includes more than 300 businesses and directly employs around 7,000 people who make equipment and provide services for defence activities.

The Labor Government has identified defence technology as one of the six sectors primed for extraordinary growth, which it is supporting through the $200 million Future Industries Fund. This fund will help transition the Victorian economy through targeted investment to grow industries and create jobs.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry, Lily D’Ambrosio

“Pacific 2015 is a chance to showcase Victoria’s highly capable and innovative small and medium sized businesses, which stand ready and able to supply maritime and defence projects around the world.”

“Victoria is open for business. We have a strong supply chain that leads the nation in advanced manufacturing, cyber technologies, robotics and ICT.”

“Our state’s defence technology industry has the potential for extraordinary growth. The government’s Future Industries Fund will support the industry to innovate and grow, creating jobs now and into the future.”

Reviewed 10 February 2021

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