THE FAWCETT FLYER MARCH/APRIL 2021 - Senator David Fawcett
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THE FAWCETT FLYER
MARCH/APRIL 2021
APRIL 2018
1 Decisions by Italy and European Union to block the export of vaccines
reveal why sovereign capability is vital in a variety of sectors. The
COVID-19 pandemic revealed weaknesses in supply chains to critical
national systems which are essential to Australia’s ability to function as a
secure, prosperous, first world nation. A whole-of-government approach
is needed to ensure greater success in identifying and mitigating these
weaknesses.
Over March and April, I continued to engage a wide range of stakeholders
to raise awareness and support for changes which would strengthen our
national resilience, changes detailed in the Joint Standing Committee
on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s report from the ‘Inquiry into the
implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for Australia’s foreign affairs,
defence and trade’. More on this in ‘Committee Update’ on Page 3.
On April 25th, Australia commemorated the 106th anniversary of the day
the ANZACs landed on the shores of Gallipoli – providing all Australians
the opportunity to honour the men and women who have served and are
serving in defence of our country.
Their service and sacrifice remind us that freedom always has, and always
will come at a price.
The sacrifice that Australian service personnel have made, and continue
to make, is evident in the themes to be explored as part of the Royal
Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. In April, Prime Minister
Morrison announced the Royal Commission would be established – the
findings and recommendations of which will support the ongoing work of
the proposed National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide
Prevention. For more information and how to have your say on the Terms
of Reference, turn to Page 6.
For more information on any matters in this edition
of the Fawcett Flyer or other matters of a federal
nature, please contact my office via the details
available on the back cover.
Kind regards,
SENATOR THE HON
DAVID FAWCETT
MARCH/APRIL 2021
IN THE 2
MEDIA
It was a pleasure to join the Raytheon Australia with an initial
Prime Minister, alongside my $111 million contract to support
federal colleagues and Premier the first five years of sustainment
Marshall, for the official opening for the NASAM, coinciding with the
of Raytheon Australia’s Centre for Centre’s opening and coming under
Joint Integration in Mawson Lakes the Morrison Government’s 10-year
(pictured). The Manufacturing $270 billion investment in Australia’s
Centre is Raytheon Technologies’ defence capability. 300 ongoing
first Australian production facility jobs are expected to be created by
launched to serve as the main site the facility. At least 35 staff will be
for the manufacture, final assembly, employed by Raytheon for progress
and system delivery of the National on the Short-Range Ground Based
Advanced Surface to Air Missile Air Defence program alone.
System (NASAM).
The Australian Government’s once-
Consisting of three-dimensional in-a-generation $270 billion boost
radar coverage, advanced medium to Australia’s defence capability is
range air-to-air missile, and creating and sustaining thousands
KONGSBERG’s leading mobile fire of defence industry jobs across
distribution centre, the NASAM is South Australia.
a world-class air defence solution
developed jointly by Raytheon For more information, click here or
Australia and KONGSBERG to scan the QR Code below.
enhance ADF’s Short Range
Ground Based Air Defence
Capability – a part of the LAND19
Phase 7B program. In March, the
Morrison Government awarded
THE FAWCETT FLYER
3 COMMITTEE
UPDATE
Throughout March and April, I on the Defence Connect INSIGHT
continued to be invited to speak at Podcast, and was interviewed by
various forums on implementation Professor Joanne Wallis for the
of the 16 recommendations from University of Adelaide’s Stretton
the Joint Standing Committee on Institute (pictured). Both interviews
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade are available via my website
(JSCFADT) recently-completed here (scan the QR code below).
‘Inquiry into the implications of the
COVID-19 pandemic for Australia’s
foreign affairs, defence and trade’.
The report, which I tabled in the
Senate in late 2020, explores
steps Australia should take to I also spoke at two events, hosted
increase the resilience of our critical by Adelaide University’s Institute
national systems via sovereign for International Trade, and the
capabilities or through developing United States Studies Centre at the
trusted, transparent supply chains University of Sydney, to detail steps
with likeminded nations. For Australia should take to build a
more information on this Inquiry, national resilience framework. These
view the November/December were good opportunities to discuss
2020 edition of the Fawcett the outcomes of the inquiry more
Flyer, available on my website. fully with university leadership and a
broad cross section of stakeholders.
I recently spoke with host Phil Tarrant
MARCH/APRIL 2021
Support for the enactment of the Customs Amendment (Banning
Magnitsky-style legislation has Goods Produced by Uyghur 4
grown since I tabled the Committee’s Forced Labour) Bill 2020. This Bill
report, as JSCFADT Chair, on would amend the Customs Act
its ‘Inquiry into whether Australia 1901 to prohibit the importation
should examine the use of targeted into Australia of goods from
sanctions to address human rights China’s Xinjiang province, as well
abuses’ in the Senate in late 2020. as goods produced using forced
Members and Senators across the labour from other parts of China.
political divide have been calling
for this legislation – to enable the Uyghur groups in Australia – the
Australian Government to impose majority of whom are believed to
travel restrictions and freeze assets reside in South Australia – were able to
on perpetrators of serious human present their views on the proposed
rights abuses and corruption. Bill, alongside several Government
Following the lead of like-minded departments, through submissions
nations such as the US, UK, and and testimony to the Committee.
most recently the EU, among others,
the report recommended Australia In March, the Parliamentary Joint
enact a world leading version Committee on Intelligence and
of Magnitsky-style legislation. Security (PJCIS) held two public
hearings for the ongoing inquiry
ASPI’s ‘The Strategist’ published an into national security risks affecting
article in March entitled, “Australia the Australian higher education and
needs a Magnitsky Act”, which research sector. The committee
reflects that “Magnitsky-style heard from a variety of stakeholders,
legislation could be a powerful including Director General of
tool… to fight organised crime”. ASIO, Mike Burgess, who noted
the scale of foreign interference
During Additional Estimates in universities was higher than
hearings for the Senate Foreign at any time since the Cold War.
Affairs, Defence and Trade
Legislation Committee (SFADTLC) For more information on Inquiries
the need for an Australian before Parliamentary Committees,
Magnitsky Act was discussed, click here or scan the QR Code below.
in relation to the Burmese coup,
among a variety of issues.
The SFADTLC also held its first
public hearing for the inquiry into
THE FAWCETT FLYER
5 INVICTUS PATHWAY TO IMPROVE
VETERAN’S MENTAL HEALTH
In late February, I joined Premier for veterans who face significant
Steven Marshall at the Invictus challenges associated with returning
Games: Team Australia wheelchair from active deployment.
rugby training session by the team
chosen for Invictus Games at The The Invictus Pathways Program
Hague 2020. Due to COVID, the – a unique collaboration between
Invictus Games at The Hague have The Road Home and the University
been delayed until April 2022. of South Australia – is one such
program which seeks to assist
In March, I joined 150 veterans veterans through the benefits
and their families in attending the of sport. The first of its kind in
Veterans Archery Family Day – Australia, the Invictus Pathways
facilitated and supported by the Program provides support and
Invictus Pathways Program, Archery tailored facilities needed for veterans
Australia, Veteran Sport Australia, who are aspiring to compete in
the University of South Australia the Invictus Games. The Invictus
and the Adelaide Archery Club. Pathways Program are also a crucial
Also attending was Governor of facilitator of the “Setting a New
South Australia His Excellency the Course” veteran sailing program.
Hon Hieu Van Le AC, and veteran For more information on the Invictus
support service Open Arms. Pathways Program, click here or
scan the QR Code below.
These events give veterans and their
families a glimpse at how adaptive
sport can provide goals and a
purpose to work towards which
aids mental health and underpins
physical rehabilitation – particularly
MARCH/APRIL 2021
ROYAL COMMISSION 6
CONSULTATION BEGINS
Between 2001 and 2017, 419 the implementation of the Royal
suicides by veterans occurred. Commission’s recommendations.
In my Maiden Speech in the Senate, Before the Royal Commission
I said: “We expected the loyalty of begins, a rigorous consultation
service men and women when they process will develop the Terms of
enlisted and if they deployed; they Reference – including consultation
have a right to expect ours now with defence and veteran
they have returned and retired.” communities.
In order to gain a better This consultation is to ensure the
understanding of suicide in the Royal Commission is focused
serving and ex-serving community, and based on the experiences
and subsequently provide better and perspectives of those who
support, Prime Minister Scott have been impacted by Defence
Morrison announced in April that and veteran suicide. Following
the Government is establishing a consultation, all feedback will be
Royal Commission into Defence provided to the Attorney-General’s
and Veteran Suicide, with the Department which will lead the
findings and recommendations drafting of the Terms of Reference.
to inform the proposed National
Commissioner for Defence and Consultation is now open, and I
Suicide Prevention’s ongoing work. encourage anyone with relevant
experiences or insight, to have their
The Royal Commission and the say.
National Commissioner are to be
established together and operate For more information on the Royal
in a complementary way to achieve Commission consultation process,
long-term change. and how to have your say, click
here or scan the QR Code below.
The Royal Commission is to
systemically investigate past deaths
by suicide (including suspected
suicides and lived experience of
suicide risks), while the National
Commissioner is to have a forward-
looking role, including overseeing
THE FAWCETT FLYER
7 AUSTRALIA TO DEVELOP SOVEREIGN
GUIDED MISSILE CAPABILITY
This April, the Australian conflict and defend our nation. The
Government announced a $1 SGWE, which could be worth up to
billion investment to fast-track $40 billion in local production and
a Sovereign Guided Weapons export over the next 20 years, will
Enterprise (SGWE), supporting the accelerate Australia’s Army, Navy
development of guided missiles and Air Force’s sovereign industrial
and enhancing Australia’s sovereign capability and provide thousands
defence capabilities. of local jobs in businesses across
defence and defence-related supply
Australia will build a suite of chains. For more information on the
missiles locally to meet Australia’s SGWE, click here or scan the QR
growing needs and provide export code below.
opportunities as a second source
of supply, most likely in partnership
with the manufacturer of existing
missiles systems. The program
may also seek to bring to the point
of production, developmental work This announcement follows
Australia has completed in advanced the recent release of our
areas, such as Hypersonics. Government’s National Defence
Roadmap, which outlines a 10-
Bringing forward the investment year plan for investment. The
for a SGWE will ensure Australia Defence sector is 1 of 6 priority
has adequate munitions supply sectors in the Government’s
to sustain combat operations in a Modern Manufacturing Strategy
– supplemented by a $1.5 billion
investment to ensure the strategy
delivers on its goals. For more
information on the Defence
Manufacturing Roadmap, click here
or scan the QR code below.
MARCH/APRIL 2021
AUSTRALIAN SPACE 8
DISCOVERY CENTRE LAUNCHES
In addition to the opening of Government has invested over
Raytheon Australia’s Centre for $700 million into Australia’s space
Joint Integration, Prime Minister sector, with the overall aim of
Scott Morrison came to Adelaide for tripling the sector’s size to $12
the official opening of the Australian billion and creating an additional
Space Discovery Centre (ASDC), 20,000 jobs by 2030. To date, the
located at Lot Fourteen with the Australian and SA Government’s
Australian Space Agency HQ. landmark Adelaide City Deal has
also funded the Australian Space
Specifically designed to provide Agency HQ and Missions Control
interactive space exhibits and Centre, supporting growth in
practical advice for those wanting South Australia’s skilled workforce,
to pursue a space-related career, investing in cutting-edge research,
this development has been made and making SA the leading state in
possible through the Australian the space sector.
and SA Government’s $649 million
Adelaide City Deal. The site also The ASDC will open to the general
contains the recently-opened public in May, following testing
Responsive Space Operations with community groups. For more
Centre – developed by SA-based information on the ASDC, click here
company Saber Astronautics and or scan the QR Code below.
funded by a $6 million Federal
Government grant – enabling local
space businesses to track and
control their very own missions and
satellites.
Since 2018, the Australian
THE FAWCETT FLYER
9 OUT AND
ABOUT
In early March, I met with Kevin and
Jerry Seeley from Global Water,
with Nicolle Flint MP, who provided In March, I met with His Excellency,
me with an overview of their Mr Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ambassador
business and facilities at Tonsley. for Vietnam to Australia, Solomon
The Federal Government’s ongoing Islands, Papua New Guinea and
investment in sovereign Defence Vanuatu. Australia is providing
capability continues to create $34 million to support Vietnam’s
new business opportunities for access to vaccines and vaccine
innovative companies like Global roll out, which is an important first
Water - who are supporting defence step towards working on greater
infrastructure development. economic recovery.
On April 25th, I attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service hosted by the
Salisbury RSL at the Salisbury War Memorial. While COVID-19 restrictions
were still in place at services this year, it was great for the community to
be able to gather again to commemorate the service of ADF personnel
– both past and present. Pictured with Mr Graham Reynolds (left), SA
State Liberal Candidate for Wright, and Trevor Thompson (right), a former
crew member on Iroquois and Black Hawk helicopters that I flew as an
experimental test pilot at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
MARCH/APRIL 202110
In April, I met with John Boag,
CEO of Cobham Aviation Services,
doing a visit to Cobham’s Adelaide
facilities in the Adelaide Airport
precinct. Cobham are a key
player in Australia’s aviation sector
providing Australia’s Coastwatch,
Maritime search and rescue, and
Great to visit REDARC Electronics’s some defence services, as well as
facility in Lonsdale in April and meet a broad range of commercial flights
with Mike Hartas, Chris Johnson to support the mining sector and
and CEO Anthony Kittel to receive cargo.
an update on their innovation to
support defence capability. The
company has continually expanded
in size as it has grown in the
Defence sector. They have now
supplied components for naval
shipbuilding, the Australian-made
Hawkei protected vehicles and the
National Advanced Surface to Air
Missile System. Keep up to date on
announcements, via
Facebook:
@senatorfawcett
THE FAWCETT FLYER11
Liberal Senator for South Australia
Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Suite 4, 13/100 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
8205 1040
senator.fawcett@aph.gov.au
senatorfawcett.com.au
AUTHORISED AND PRINTED BY SENATOR THE HON DAVID FAWCETT, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA,
APRIL
SUITE 4, LEVEL 13, 100 KING 2018
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