A Blue book for Defence in Queensland

In the lead up to any election the public service prepare two briefs for the potential incoming government. As the Liberal / Liberal National Party colour is blue, the brief for the incoming Crisafulli government would be colloquially known as the 'blue book'. Queensland now has an opportunity to review and renew our approach to Defence Industry, Veteran Affairs and our part to play in the Defence of the nation and our region.

Given I'm never shy of ideas or policy prescriptions I thought I'd make a few recommendations. ??

1?? Review Queensland's approach to Defence Industry and Veteran Affairs. Instead of a haphazard approach where Veteran Affairs and Defence Industry are in separate departments with separate ministerial oversight, we should seek to a holistic approach. Western Australia's Defence West provides a clear blueprint to what a holistic organisation could look like. In addition Defence NSW sets the standard when it comes to regional defence advocacy and organisation and provides a template to leverage for regions like Townsville, Ipswich and emerging centres of excellence like Maryborough, the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Cairns.

2?? It is time to take a regional Defence Centres of Excellence approach. The NSW Regional Defence Program has initiated programs Hunter Defence, Illawarra & Shoalhaven Defence Network to grow local defence supply chains, match NSW defence and aerospace businesses with Defence Prime contractors, increase the number of ‘defence ready’ businesses and strengthen sovereign defence and aerospace industry capabilities. Queensland can do the same and I'll briefly highlight three key regions (apologies Ipswich, Toowoomba & Cairns):

• Maryborough was once a Industrial powerhouse and a key component of the Defence Industrial base. The establishment of an artillery shell forging plant by Rheinmetall and Nioa's joint venture is the first step in harnessing this heritage and renewing Maryborough's manufacturing sector. This plant was supported by grants from both the Queensland and Commonwealth Government. Additional government investment and incentives could be focused on establishing explosive manufacturing, shell filling and finishing and manufacturing of fuses. A second end to end supply chain of this critical consumable of combat could provide Australia, our Allies and partners with increased capacity for a highly demand munition.
• Sunshine Coast already has a burgeoning Defence Industrial sector with local small and medium enterprises such as Helimods, Eniquest and Raider Targetry. With a large working age Veteran population and emerging manufacturing sector, the Sunshine Coast could greatly benefit from additional Defence infrastructure to supercharge growth. A Defence Industrial Park including the option for a multi use military depot could offer new and existing businesses an easier path to supply Defence. Meeting the Defence Industrial Security requirements is a a time consuming and costly process - over and above the challenge of investing in any new capital facilities. In addition there would be substantial benefits of a collocated military presence - the growing region of the Sunshine Coast is currently limited to a small Army Reserve depot in Yandina and could render significantly greater capability if a larger base was established.
• Townsville has long been a Garrison town and the city has certainly prospered with a large Army presence in particular. But there is significant opportunity to broaden the local economy to have a larger Defence Industry component. Townsville has already made a great start with the North Queensland Strategic Defence Working Group and hosting key events like the ADM Townsville Defence Summit. Expanding the ability to support and maintain the Army's armoured fleet locally should be a clear point of focus - Chris McDougall made a great case for this in his recent Australian Strategic Policy Institute article here.

3?? Veterans employment. Queensland needs to meet and exceed the standard set by the NSW Government Veteran Employment Program and Veterans SA - South Australia's veteran advocacy program. There should be clear pathways and performance metrics for attracting Veterans to in demand occupations like Police, Emergency Services and other public service opportunities. No other state attracts more Veterans when they choose to transition from full time service. The median tenure is 8 years - most Veterans will transition from full time service in their 20s or early 30s looking for their next career. Queensland Government needs to be better at harnessing their service and encouraging Queensland based businesses to do the same

4?? Strategic Alignment. Review and reinforce the national strategy with complimentary action and an aligned Queensland Defence Strategy. We can start by aligning Queensland Defence and Defence Industry plans to the National Defence Strategy and the Defence Industrial Development Strategy. Defence Jobs QLD still refers to the 2016 White Paper and the 2020 Defence Strategic Update. Canberra sets the strategy - as any military strategist knows, a detailed understanding of the 'Commander's Intent' and reflecting back achievement of the strategic priorities of the Commonwealth's strategy will be the key way to achieve a greater share of Defence and National Security activity in this great state.

As always, this is my contribution to the contest of ideas and not the policy of any employers or organisations I'm associated with.