New alliance to represent defence industry SMEs

| August 3, 2018

The Defence Teaming Centre (DTC), AIDN-Victoria and the Henderson Alliance have announced the creation of the Australian Defence Alliance (ADA).  The body aims to become a nationally focused membership organisation representing almost 1,000 small to medium enterprises in defence and dual-use industries.

The ADA will advocate the interests of its members to state and federal governments and offer support regarding governance and policy.  Despite the creation of the new entity, each of the founding bodies will still operate independently.

“Australian SMEs have much to offer the defence industry in acquisition, sustainment and exporters,” AIDN-Vic chief executive Claire Willette said, announcing the ADA’s formation.

“The ADA’s collaborative approach is designed to connect supply chain opportunities to local capability and capacity, the ADA encourages participation from relevant industry bodies that would like to contribute.”

DTC CEO Margot Forster said the need for strategic and professional representation for defence industry SMEs lay behind the formation of the ADA.

“Unprecedented investments in Australian defence programs are leading to incredible growth in the sector. The ADA is here to help bring the required dedicated representation to members,” she said. “ADA will be a collective voice to government on behalf of SMEs.”

The ADA will also facilitate collaboration between its members across Australia to deliver contracts to support the Commonwealth’s expanded defence agenda.

The Chair of Henderson Alliance, Rohan Green agreed that “ADA recognises that all defence programs are there to serve the national interest and we will reinforce this at every turn.

“In each of the regions our members are in, there will be differences of opinion, but defence policy will always be made with national considerations in mind.”

To reinforce its approach, the ADA will apply the principles and best practices of ISO 44001-2016, the Management of Collaborative Business Relationships, in its interactions with members, stakeholders and between the interstate bodies.

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