Defence Connect announced its budget lunch for 2021 today. The event, which is to be held on Friday, 14 May, will bring together participants from across government, Defence and defence industry.
The Defence Connect Budget Lunch will be an in-person and live-streamed event this year
Australia’s defence force is in the process of a once-in-a-lifetime technological overhaul, marked by significant funding increases over recent years to defence materiel and an increasingly uncertain Indo-Pacific.
This is the second annual Defence Connect Budget Lunch, and aims to connect participants from across all stakeholder groups, from Defence, defence industry and government.
In attendance thus far, Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price and the shadow minister for defence industry Matthew Keogh, with more to follow.
Joe Vince, head of strategy – defence, cyber and aerospace at Momentum Media, the business behind Defence Connect, said, “We’re incredibly excited to launch the second annual Defence Connect Budget Lunch; it’s set to be even greater than the inaugural year with much anticipation from the industry and from all those who attended and watched live in 2020. It will again provide greater insights into the release of the federal budget to support the ongoing development of Australia’s defence capabilities.
“Our first session will include senior stakeholders and industry experts, where they will articulate and discuss budget prioritisation to support a stronger, more capable ADF and defence establishment.
“The second session will include the Hon Melissa Price, Minister for Defence Industry, and Matt Keogh, shadow minister for defence industry; this discussion is firmly focused on the industry’s participation in the delivery of defence spending, where they will be assessing and interpreting the federal budget. Similar to last year, they will each share a budget wrap-up and response, followed by a moderated Q&A, plus questions from the audience.”
“We’re again keeping a close eye on COVID-19 restrictions regarding hosting events; this will be an in-person event, allowing the industry to network in a safe environment with colleagues and peers,” Vince added.
“In line with the COVID restrictions, numbers at the lunch will limited, however we’ll ensure the whole of industry is engaged.
“I’d also like to say a big thank you to all of our sponsors; our platinum sponsor, PPA, and our gold sponsors, Leidos Australia and EY. Our partners are key to ensuring we can deliver the annual Defence Connect Budget Lunch, which in return supports a better informed industry.”
Details for the Defence Connect Lunch can be found here.