Is Queensland Defence Smart? Linking Strategy, Capability and Innovation - In-person event

By virtue of its geography alone, Queensland is of increasing in importance to the strategic calculus of Australia, its allies and partners. The State’s expansive geography and proximity to Pacific Island nations makes it an ideal logistics and training hub as evidenced by this year’s 30,000 strong Exercise Talisman Sabre, and bilateral agreements with Singapore and the US to preposition military supplies. Despite Queensland’s Coral Sea adjacency and its natural advantages for combined amphibious training under a new Army ‘littoral’ strategy, outback QLD also provides an expansive area for inland rocket testing of high strategic value to Australia and its allies. Shifting workforce demographics, moreover, see an increasingly vibrant veteran and associated defence industry community in Queensland. Home to 43% of the Army and Australia’s largest Air Force Base, RAAF Amberley, the State is also emerging as a significant industry hub for defence primes and SMEs.

The defence and national security presence in Qld is clearly set to expand as governments ensure they have the right capabilities postured to meet the region’s growing strategic challenges. But questions remain with respect to policy focus, coordination and coherence. Join Dr Greta Nabbs-Keller, Associate Director Defence, Space and National Security (University of Queensland) in conversation with MAJGEN (Retd) Mick Ryan AM; Associate Professor Andrew Phillips (School of Political Science and International Studies); and Stuart Blackwell (Director Queensland Defence Science Alliance) as they consider key questions on whether Queensland’s defence community is sufficiently ‘joined-up’ and how could we be more savvy about exploiting Queensland’s comparative advantages. Hear about the strategic importance of Queensland in the context of growing major power competition and military build-up. Learn more about the role of universities in sharing their research knowledge expertise, and in developing the skills of our current and future defence workforce.

Our panel discussants are:

• Mr Mick Ryan AM - MAJGEN (Retd), Mick Ryan Consulting
• Associate Professor Andrew Phillips - School of Political Science and International Studies, UQ
• Mr Stuart Blackwell - Director, Queensland Defence Science Alliance
• Dr Greta Nabbs-Keller - Associate Director Enterprise Research Partnerships (Defence, Space and National Security), UQ

AIIA QLD Book Talk:

Please note that following the panel, MAJGEN (Retd) Mick Ryan, will be the guest speaker at an AIIA QLD ‘Book Talk’ on his latest publication: ‘White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan’ from 6:00-7:00pm, at Holding Redlich, 300 Queen Street. You will need to register separately for this at ‘White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan’ | Australian Institute of International Affairs Queensland on Glue Up and be in attendance prior to 6:00pm.

Who should attend

This is an invitation only event for researchers engaged in defence-related research; defence industry and QLD government representatives.

Location

Please refer to your invitation for venue information