About David
David served in the Australian Defence Force for over 22 years. An Army pilot, he flew helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and was the Senior Flying Instructor at the School of Army Aviation in Queensland.
Graduating as an experimental test pilot from the Empire Test Pilots’ School (UK), he finished his full time career in Defence as the Commanding Officer of the RAAF Aircraft Research and Development Unit.
Elected to the House of Representatives as the Member for Wakefield (SA) in 2004, he served in the Parliament until 2007. David continued to fly as a test pilot and ran a small business working in the Defence and Aviation sectors prior to being elected to the Senate in 2010, 2016 and again in 2019.
In the (45th) Parliament, David was sworn as the Assistant Minister for Defence.
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RAYTHEON SUPPORTING SA BUSINESSES TO JOIN SUPPLY CHAINS![]()
4 South Australian businesses have been selected, as part of 10 Australian businesses, to participate in Raytheon Australia’s inaugural industry engagement program - Capability Plus - to improve their competitive edge in local and international supply chains.![]()
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Over the next decade, the Australian Government is investing $270 billion to upgrade our nation’s defence capability – achieved through maximising industry involvement from small to large-scale Australian businesses in the development of world-class weapons systems.![]()
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The selected SA businesses – to receive training in leadership, engineering, project management, cyber security and quality and ISO certification – include:![]()
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☑️Coherics – leading developer of world-class training systems and solutions.![]()
☑️Daronmont Technologies – full-service systems integrator specialising in fixed and deployable C4 (command, control, communications and computing) systems.![]()
☑️REDARC Electronics – leading provider in electronic solutions that has supplied components for naval shipbuilding, the Australian-made Hawkei protected vehicles and the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System.![]()
☑️Silentium Defence – global leader in the design and deployment of passive surveillance systems.![]()
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The National Manufacturing Defence Roadmap was released last week, which includes a decade-long plan for investment so our sovereign defence industry and manufacturing sectors can continue to grow, create export opportunities, support sovereign capability and create local jobs. The Defence sector is 1 of 6 priority sectors in the Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy – alongside a $1.5 billion investment to ensure the strategy delivers on its goals. More information on the Defence Manufacturing Roadmap: bit.ly/39zdRIb![]()
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More information on Raytheon’s Capability Plus program: bit.ly/3wBvp05
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Raytheon engages with local SMEs to win defence work | Australian Manufacturing Forum
www.aumanufacturing.com.au
US-owned Raytheon Australia’s has selected ten companies to participate in its recently launched industry engagement program that helps small businesses win defence work here and in export markets. The company, which in March opened a major new technical and manufacturing centre in Adelaide, selec...Comment on Facebook
$27 MILLION FOR NEXT-GENERATION MEDICAL RESEARCH PROJECTS![]()
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The Australian Government is funding 10 new medical research projects through a $11.3 million investment in the latest round of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership Project scheme – project funding totals $27 million through partnership with state governments, hospitals, services and patient representative bodies.![]()
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Of the funded projects, 2 are being conducted by SA universities:![]()
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🔬$1,499,233 has been awarded to d studying Personalising Acute Myocardial Infarction Care – improving outcomes for Australians with Coronary artery disease.![]()
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🔬$1,439,099 has been awarded for arded to research improved management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Insomnia in General Practice. ![]()
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Australian medical research is among the best in the world, and through the NHRMC Partnership Project, the Australian Government is ensuring researchers continue to produce world-class evidence for best medical practice and improved health outcomes.![]()
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More information: bit.ly/2O3vPuP
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$27 million for next-generation medical research
www.health.gov.au
Ten new medical research projects, including an education program to improve health literacy for socio-economically and culturally diverse new parents will be funded, thanks to the Australian Government and the Australian medical community.Comment on Facebook
As Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT), I tabled a report late last year into the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for Australia’s foreign affairs, defence and trade policy.![]()
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Since then I have been meeting with a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the report’s 16 recommendations. ![]()
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COVID-19 revealed weaknesses in the supply chains that underpin the critical national systems which are essential to Australia’s ability to function as a secure, prosperous, first world nation. The report explores steps Australia should take in order to increase resilience via a sovereign capabilities or through developing trusted, transparent supply chains with likeminded nations.![]()
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I spoke at an event today, hosted by the The University of Adelaide's Institute for International Trade and engaged in dialogue relating to the report and the implementation of its recommendations. Increasing resilience will require extensive cooperation between government, industry and academia. ![]()
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Peter Draper, Executive Director of the Institute for International Trade, University of Adelaide made a substantial submission to the inquiry. It was a good opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the inquiry more fully with him, the Vice Chancellor and a broad cross section of university leaders. ![]()
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Full JSCFADT report: bit.ly/jscfadtcovidreport
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Hopefully this is the Think Tank that will produce the impetus to carry the thinking stage to the We’re Doing it Stage, So let’s see some real and Positive Actions on these recommendations that are Critical to Australia as a Nation, Actions Speak Louder Than Words, And Australians Demand More Action And Less Words, now you have a Plan
The problems we have today started back in 1975 didn't need a think tank to come to that conclusion . Manufacturing was given to China including their intellectual rights shows how greedy the 1% are. Talk is cheap waste of time all Australian governments buy is crap from the US. How do you stop 2million PLA fighters would be my first question?
Great work on the report, David. Let's get the recommendations implemented!
$28.3 MILLION TO EXTEND ‘BE CONNECTED’ PROGRAM![]()
The Australian Government has committed $28.3 million to extend the Be Connected Program, empowering older residents with new skills and confidence to remain connected with friends and family online. ![]()
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Last year, 2 local organisations in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs received funding through the program to provide digital devices for use by older Australians who were socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. More information: bit.ly/31Q61G4![]()
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In partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, the program offers online tutorials and in-person local assistance through grant funded programs – covering topics such as online safety, how to connect with family and friends, and access to government and other essential services such as online banking.![]()
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For more information and to find a Be Connected-funded program near you, visit beconnected.esafety.gov.au or call the Be Connected Helpline on 1300 795 897.
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Be Connected - Every Australian online
beconnected.esafety.gov.au
Learn at your own pace with our free courses on everything from how to access the internet, make video calls or set up your deviceComment on Facebook
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