Australian Industry Group Head of Northern Australia Dean Deighton and Ai Group Defence Council Executive Director Kate Louis hosted industry and Defence leaders in Townsville last week.
Along with Commander 3rd Brigade Brigadier Ben McLennan and the 3rd Brigade, Mr Deighton and Ms Louis, pictured, hosted a three-day tour for more than 30 members of the Defence Council National Executive.
Townsville was chosen for its deep military heritage and growing strategic importance, Mr Deighton told the Townsville Bulletin, below.
“The goal of this tour is clear: Connect industry with Defence end users, explore North Queensland’s role in national security and highlight the region’s readiness for Defence industry investment," he said.
“It’s about starting a long-overdue conversation on how industry can better support Defence in this key region.
“Industry and Defence don’t just collaborate – they rely on each other. The Defence Council’s visit to Townsville highlights this interdependence.
"Industry needs direct feedback from the people using their equipment to refine and improve capability, while Defence depends on industry to develop and sustain technology that is fast, reliable and mission-ready.
"For industry, it was an opportunity to engage with Defence where capability meets operational reality – offering a clearer picture of how they can contribute to national security."
The tour showed that industry and Australia’s North are "ready willing and fully capable" of supporting Defence, Mr Deighton added.
