Speeches
Monday, 15 July 2024
South Australia Club London
I am pleased to be in the UK and to have the privilege of joining you for this reception in honour of the London Chapter of the South Australia Club.
Since we last met at the House of Lords for your Christmas event in 2022, there has been a high tempo – possibly the highest I can recall – of travel between our two countries, much of it, I am sure by all of you.
Among the visitors to Australia have been the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, and Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, who travelled for the Australia-UK Ministerial (AUKMIN) meeting held at Government House in Adelaide in March.
Of course, since then, there has been a change of Government in the UK. As one would expect, the High Commissioner was well prepared and Prime Minister Albanese has already spoken with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles has been quick to visit and, if the past is any guide, given the close alignment of our national interests, there will be regular exchanges of visits between ministers in both Cabinets.
I was impressed at the House of Lords event by how well served South Australia is by our expatriates, by the alumni of our universities, and by those British businesspeople who have chosen to focus their attention on our state. Thank you, one and all.
I spoke to you then about the remarkable initiatives underway in the state of South Australia, and the great story we have to tell about our strengths and aspirations.
Not least of which is our world-class food, wine and agribusiness sector. The ongoing demand for premium products that are cleanly, safely and sustainably produced will continue to see significant opportunities for South Australia’s food, beverage and wine businesses in the year ahead.
South Australia’s renewable energy credentials and hydrogen ambitions, and the opportunities available to collaborate in the green economy value chain, including the production of green iron and green steel, will assist both our countries in pursuing carbon neutrality.
South Australia’s world class higher education system is undergoing an exciting transformation with the establishment of a new university, Adelaide University, through the merger of the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide.
On Saturday I had the honour to attend a service of thanksgiving and dedication for the reinterment of Captain Matthew Flinders’ remains in Donington, Lincolnshire, and to receive on behalf of the Government of South Australia Captain Flinders’ breast plate on permanent loan from Flinders’ descendants.
From an historic maritime connection to a modern day one, during this visit I am also discussing with UK partners our shared endeavour regarding the SSN-AUKUS build.
This will take place in Barrow-in-Furness here in the UK, as well as the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Port Adelaide.
South Australia will make an important and central contribution to the Australian AUKUS effort, as the home of Australia’s submarine construction enterprise.
Our Premier, the Hon Peter Malinauskas, has continually highlighted the importance of all parts of Australia contributing to this vital national endeavour.
We know that one of the keys to the successful submarine programs in the United Kingdom and United States is that they are seen as a truly collaborative national enterprise.
It is important we foster this same mindset at home. AUKUS is not a state-based industrial program, but a defining national project that calls upon the skills and the energy of the entire country.
In South Australia, we are working in genuine partnership with the Commonwealth to prepare for the biggest industrial undertaking in the history of our Federation.
In the 12 months since the announcement of the Optimal Pathway, South Australia has moved at pace to support this vital collaboration.
This has included land exchanges for construction and training, precursor planning and infrastructure development, and a significant investment in skills and training of our population across the skills spectrum.
Many of the companies represented in the room tonight are critical to delivery of nuclear-powered submarines in the United Kingdom and the United States and I am sure will play an important role for Australia going forward.
In South Australia we look forward to working with the Australian Submarine Agency, its Joint Venture delivery partners and across the supply chain in all ways possible to help deliver this international endeavour.
South Australia’s Defence and Space capabilities go far beyond the AUKUS Pillar 1 Nuclear Submarine national endeavour and include delivering BAE’s Hunter class frigate program and the Australian Submarine Corporation’s sustainment of the Collins Class submarines.
Under AUKUS Pillar II – Advanced Capabilities, AUKUS partners are pooling the talents of our defence and innovation sectors to catalyse the delivery of advanced capabilities, including the integration of our defence industrial bases, research sectors and investor networks to accelerate trilateral capability development.
South Australian universities and innovation precincts are actively engaged in world-leading research into high-tech, advanced cyber, AI and machine learning, and other critical technologies.
To this effect, the South Australian government, in partnership with the Australian government, is investing AUD$60 million to establish the Australian Defence Technologies Academy at South Australia’s CBD-based innovation district, Lot Fourteen.
This initiative will drive sovereign research and development of defence capabilities in partnership with the new Adelaide University.
The academy will strengthen South Australia’s skills and talent pool by leveraging collaboration across industry and academia.
South Australia’s Flinders University has also entered into a series of partnerships with the UK academic institutions to offer unprecedented nuclear and shipbuilding programs and research collaborations.
These include the establishment of the UK’s Nuclear Technology Education Consortium with the University of Manchester and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Exchange with the University of Strathclyde and BAE Systems.
I refer you to our excellent South Australian team here in the UK if you wish to explore further the specific opportunities this represents for your companies and organisations.
I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the rest of the evening.