North West Defence Alliance - Understanding its Role in Enhancing Regional Development and Collaboration Across the Northwest
Tracks
Silent Conferencing
| Tuesday, August 27, 2024 |
| 12:15 PM - 12:35 PM |
Overview
Matthew Niikkula, Shire Of Exmouth
Speaker
Mr Matthew Niikkula
Shire President
Shire Of Exmouth
North West Defence Alliance - Understanding its Role in Enhancing Regional Development and Collaboration Across the North West
Abstract
As Chair of the North West Defence Alliance, I am seeking to utilise the Developing Northern Australia Conference as the perfect launchpad to highlight and explain who the group is, its terms of reference, achievements to date, ambitions for the future and the role we can play in "Advancing Our Northern Regions".
The current defence strategy developed by successive federal governments since 2020 has emphasised the importance of increasing the presence of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the country's North.
The North West is a source of enormous wealth for the nation and must be viewed by any would-be aggressor as appropriately defended to deter attack. It is also strategically important because of its proximity to vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean and Indonesia.
Since its establishment in 2021, the NWDA has successfully lobbied the federal government and the Department of Defence to invest in the North West. Newly adopted Terms of Reference highlight the promotion of investment, employment and stronger communities throughout our region by;
Representing the concerns of the membership to the Federal Government and Department of Defence (DoD) regarding strategic vulnerability and the need for defence presence
Acting as a point of liaison for the DoD and associated authorities to exchange information and increase transparency
Identifying opportunities for industry to support ADF activities and defence-related infrastructure work
Supporting local businesses with accessing the necessary resources to become 'defence-ready'
Advocating for defence-related science and innovation in the Northwest to include test and evaluation of emerging technologies
Maintain effective communication and collaboration between the members and stakeholders to promote one another's strategic objectives.
The Alliance is made up of 7 Local Governments with vulnerable coastlines on the Indian Ocean; some of our Key Stakeholders are Defence West, RDA Kimberley, RDA Pilbara and the Australian Industry Defence Network.
The current defence strategy developed by successive federal governments since 2020 has emphasised the importance of increasing the presence of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the country's North.
The North West is a source of enormous wealth for the nation and must be viewed by any would-be aggressor as appropriately defended to deter attack. It is also strategically important because of its proximity to vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean and Indonesia.
Since its establishment in 2021, the NWDA has successfully lobbied the federal government and the Department of Defence to invest in the North West. Newly adopted Terms of Reference highlight the promotion of investment, employment and stronger communities throughout our region by;
Representing the concerns of the membership to the Federal Government and Department of Defence (DoD) regarding strategic vulnerability and the need for defence presence
Acting as a point of liaison for the DoD and associated authorities to exchange information and increase transparency
Identifying opportunities for industry to support ADF activities and defence-related infrastructure work
Supporting local businesses with accessing the necessary resources to become 'defence-ready'
Advocating for defence-related science and innovation in the Northwest to include test and evaluation of emerging technologies
Maintain effective communication and collaboration between the members and stakeholders to promote one another's strategic objectives.
The Alliance is made up of 7 Local Governments with vulnerable coastlines on the Indian Ocean; some of our Key Stakeholders are Defence West, RDA Kimberley, RDA Pilbara and the Australian Industry Defence Network.
Biography
Matt is the President of the Shire of Exmouth and Chair of the North West Defence Alliance, representing 7 Local Governments in the North West of WA. The Alliance actively engages with the ADF and their contractors to bring positive outcomes for Northern Communities. In his role as Chair, Matt advocates for the concerns of the membership to the federal government, focusing on strategic vulnerability and the necessity for increased Defence presence. He also works to identify opportunities for local industry in the North West to support ADF activities and defence-related infrastructure work.
