Govt ups Geelong’s defence $s bid at Deakin

GEELONG’S new Defence Procurement Office has been opened by Premier Daniel Andrews and Industry Minister Lily D’Ambrosio at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus.
Aimed at ensuring Victoria’s gets its “fair share of national defence work”, the procurement office will market the skills of Geelong and other manufacturers to the largest defence contractors in the world.
The office will also help promote Victoria’s abilities in design and manufacturing, identify opportunities for growth in defence and non-defence businesses, and help Victorian businesses access local and global supply chains and form industry partnerships.
“We’re fighting for Victoria’s fair share of defence work and we’re giving Geelong’s industries the support they deserve,” Mr Andrews said.
“The new procurement office will be a powerful voice for the future of Geelong and the future of Victoria.”
Ms D’Ambrosio said the government would market the skills of our local manufacturers to the biggest defence contractors in the world.
“It’s about growing the manufacturing and defence industries and creating more high skill, high wage jobs,” she said.
Victoria’s defence industry has an annual turnover of about $1.5 billion. It includes more than 300 businesses and directly employs about 6,000 people who make equipment and provide services for defence activities.
The Defence Procurement Office will have statewide responsibility and act on behalf of all Victorian-based defence companies. The office can be contacted on 03 5215 6071.
Bellarine MP Lisa Neville described Geelong as “a manufacturing powerhouse, home to innovative businesses and highly skilled workers”.