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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OSBORNE NORTH SHIPYARD PROGRESS AND FRIGATE PROTOTYPING CONTINUES![]()
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The Osborne North precinct will provide world-class build, test and integration facilities for the design and production of Australia’s 12 Attack Class Submarines – part of the Federal Liberal Government’s $183 billion Naval Shipbuilding Plan. ![]()
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More than 400 workers are now on site at the Osborne North Development Project undertaking the installation of structural steel, cladding, internal fit outs, concreting and services teams – as Phase 1 and 2 of construction continues. ![]()
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At Osborne South, work for Australia’s Hunter Class Frigate program continues. Lead contractor BAE Systems Australia has confirmed that their Operations team pulsed from Station 1 (boilermaking) to Station 2 (robotic welding) – the 1st prototyping unit to go down the pulse line at the Steel and Unit Fabrication Hall. ![]()
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The pulse line has 5 stations, along which work is completed sequentially. Once work is completed along the 5 stations, the prototyping unit is complete – before moving to the Block Assembly Hall. The prototyping phase of the Hunter Class Frigate Program runs for 3 years, until 2023. ![]()
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The Australian Government is investing $575 billion in defending Australia over the next decade, including $270 billion for investment in new and upgraded capabilities, such as the Attack Class Submarines and Hunter Class Frigates. ![]()
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Thanks to ANI and BAE Systems Australia for the photos.
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GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT GROWS AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE CAPABILITY![]()
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The Morrison Government’s 2021/22 Budget continues to deliver strong, sustained investment in Defence and national security, affirming the $575 billion investment in Defence over the decade to 2029/30, including $270 billion to upgrade our nation’s defence capability. ![]()
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Through LAND 121 Phase 4, the new Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle – Light has now achieved Initial Operational Capability. This marks a significant milestone for the Australian Defence Force (ADF)’s capability, offering a high level of protection from blast and ballistic threats, and significantly improved mobility to operate in high threat environments. ![]()
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Thanks to the Federal Liberal Government $2 billion investment in LAND121 Phase 4, 1,100 Australian-built light protected vehicles, alongside 1,058 trailers, are to be rolled out to Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force units – sustaining approximately 210 jobs and creating additional jobs through a support contract and along the supply chain. More information: bit.ly/3kguKxq ![]()
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Additionally, the Australian Government has announced a $595 million investment to acquire 4 new CH-47F Chinook helicopters, growing the ADF’s fleet to 14 – first 2 helicopters have already arrived from the US to Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville (pictured). The 3rd and 4th Chinooks are expected in Australia by mid-2022 strengthening the ADF’s heavy-lift battlefield aviation capability. More information: bit.ly/3B2Evp9
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A COVID-19 vaccine is your best defence, and our best way forward.![]()
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Now's the time to arm yourself, your family, your friends, your workmates, your community, someone you love. Find out when you can arm yourself and book your vaccination. ![]()
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Book your vaccination online or call 1800 020 080. ![]()
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For more information and to check your eligibility: www.australia.gov.au/ ![]()
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For answers to common questions on COVID-19 vaccines: bit.ly/3edp0Ru
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Fingers crossed everyone will realise soon how important the immunisation is.
If only we had some kind of national vaccination plan...🤔
Oh rack off!! I will NOT comply to this rubbish.
More information: bit.ly/36RNmfe![]()
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For eligibility requirements and to apply: servicesaustralia.gov.au/covid19
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MEDICAL RESEARCH FUTURE FUND SUPPORTS GROUND-BREAKING MEDICAL RESEARCH TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF AUSTRALIANS![]()
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Through the Morrison Government’s $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund, $180 million is being delivered to support 105 medical research projects across the nation, including for Australians with cancer, dementia, brain injuries, heart problems, neurofibromatosis, among others.![]()
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Within various grant schemes as part of this funding, South Australian recipients of funding include The University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Flinders University, and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute – covering research into lymphoblastic leukemia, endometriosis, Indigenous health, dementia care, and more. These projects include, among others:![]()
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🔬$1.29 million to the University of Adelaide for research on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in adolescents.![]()
🔬$982,000 for University of South Australia to identify and assess new treatment options for the childhood cancer Neuroblastoma.![]()
🔬$2 million for Flinders University to develop a liquid biopsy DNA methylation blood test for personalised treatment of patients with gastrointestinal cancers.![]()
🔬$2 million for the SA Health and Medical Research Institute to explore how data infrastructure impacts health care and outcomes in Aged Care.![]()
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More information on research grants: bit.ly/3xnmIGS![]()
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Additionally, $74 million has also been invested in 30 Australian-led clinical trials and cohort studies to find better ways to prevent, detect and treat disease, including $3.2 million for a melanoma cohort study to develop a next-generation, standardised diagnosis for melanoma. More information: bit.ly/3xmWaFR
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Good to see.
To stop the spread of COVID-19 in South Australia, new restrictions will come into effect from 6pm Tuesday 20 July 2021.![]()
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There will be 5 essential reasons to leave your home:![]()
▪ Undertake essential work.![]()
▪ Shop for essential goods and services (including takeaway).![]()
▪ Medical reasons (including COVID-19 vaccination and testing).![]()
▪ Care and caregiving.![]()
▪ Exercise (with people in same household).![]()
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More information will be made available soon at www.covid-19.sa.gov.au ![]()
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A list of essential workers is available at www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/420391/Public-Activities-Level-5-Essential-Wor...![]()
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If you are in quarantine because you have visited a COVID-19 exposure location or have been directed by SA Health to quarantine, you must stay at home (except in an emergency or to seek COVID-19 testing).![]()
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Thank you for playing your part South Australia – together we can stop the spread of COVID-19 in SA. ![]()
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If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are mild - get tested. You still need to get tested even if you have been vaccinated. Please be patient with testing site staff as testing sites are experiencing longer than usual wait times. We are increasing staff and extending opening hours.
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