October 2021 newsletter

‘Motivation’ seems to be the current theme among Northern Territory (NT) and interstate businesses who are committed to providing a high standard of service and supply to Australian Defence Force (ADF) and visiting allied forces in the NT. Businesses are identifying and pivoting for the capability ‘step up’ required to support new platforms coming to the region. Defence primes are keen to establish a more permanent footprint in the Territory and others are nurturing staff with upskilling for long term career prospects that will not only support Defence, but other key sectors of the Territory economy.
DefenceNT continues to facilitate visits from key Defence and industry personnel to showcase our industry capability and connect them with Territory businesses. The industry engagement team continues to identify unique, innovative companies that present a strong value proposition for Defence.
Entries for the 2021 Minister’s Award for Excellence in Defence Industry have now closed, and we have received a record number of nominations from defence and prime contractors in the Territory. The winner will be announced at the Australia Industry and Defence Network NT gala awards evening on 30 November 2021.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to LTGEN Mark Evans AO DSC (Retd). He has played an integral role in development of the Territory’s defence and national security strategy since 2017. Mark was one of the first members appointed to the NT Strategic Defence Advisory Board and later appointed as the Defence Envoy for the Territory. Mark has always displayed a very keen interest in the capability of Territory businesses in the defence sector, and we wish him all the best for the future.
‘Duty First’

Photo credit: Commonwealth of Australia (2020)
CPL Fred Prentice MM

For 64 years, 2597 CPL Frederick Prentice has lain in an unmarked grave in the Katherine Cemetery with no acknowledgement, but his final resting place has now been recognised with a headstone dedication ceremony.
On 29 September 2021, around 100 people attended the ceremony to recognise and respect CPL Prentice’s service to his country.
CPL Prentice's unit embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT Morea on 26 August 1915. He transferred to 1^st Pioneer Battalion on 13 March 1916 and was appointed to Lance Corporal in France on 1 August 1916.
CPL Prentice was awarded the Military Medal for service at Mouquet Farm in France during August 1916 (Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62. Date: 19 April 1917).
The citation for his Military Medal is as follows:
At Pozieres, France on 19 July 1916, L/Cpl. Prentice showed great courage, resource and ability in bringing machine guns and ammunition through the enemy barrage in the dark and across broken ground. He was one of Cpl William's party and assisted the NCO in every way. (Sgd) HBW Major General Commanding 1^st Australian Division.
This month the 10^th Aboriginal Economic Development Forum took place in Alice Springs. The forum provided a platform for developing Aboriginal business and private sector investment that supports the growth of the Territory’s economy.
DefenceNT’s Senior Director, James Bear, attended the forum and participated in a panel session to discuss the unprecedented investment from Defence in the Territory and the opportunities for Aboriginal businesses within the defence industry space. The panel, which included representatives from AIDN-NT and industry, engaged in discussion around promoting Aboriginal businesses as a strength of the Territory economy.
DefenceNT thanks Jerome Cubillo and Naomi Anstess at the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network for delivering the forum and looks forward to continuing to strengthen collaboration between our organisations.
The Northern Australia Development Program (NADP) is an exciting new $111.9 million program designed to help grow businesses and industries in Northern Australia.
Open to small-to-medium businesses, including Aboriginal businesses, the Australian Government funded program will provide up to 50% of the total cost of individual projects through one of two grant streams:
- stream 1: targeting small to medium businesses with expansion and diversification grants of between $50,000 and $2 million, and
- stream 2: targeting larger businesses with grants between $3 million and $10 million to establish a new industry or significantly grow the value of an existing industry, contributing to transformational change in a region.
Grant guidelines were released on 30 September 2021, with applications opening on 4 November 2021.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to the first round assessment deadline of 10 December 2021. Grants will be awarded from February 2022.
The next public information webinar is scheduled for 11am to– 12noon ACST on Monday 8 November 2021. Register for the meeting.
View a short video explaining the NADP on YouTube.
For further information contact the national Business Grants Hub on the Australian Government’s Business website or call 13 28 46.
The Industry Skills Advisory Council NT (ISACNT) is working with local employers to seek assistance with their annual research work to gather evidence on recruitment challenges that Territory business are facing.
This is part of the annual skilled occupational priority list published by the Northern Territory Government. There are 15 questions that ISACNT are seeking responses to as part of a 30 minute interview which is face-to-face or virtual as suits each business.
DefenceNT encourages members of the defence industry to participate in this research. It is a vital part of informing Territory Government views on a range of workforce initiatives, including funding for skilling and upskilling and migration solutions.
You can participate by completing the identify jobs in demand online survey on the ICACNT website.
Alternatively to request a meeting, email neda.aleksic@isacnt.org.au or call 08 7913 7514.
The Northern Territory is rapidly growing as a centre for marine services and supply. It supports the operations of the Australian Defence Force and allied forces, Australian Border Force, the offshore oil and gas industry, commercial fishing industry, tourism, cargo and general maritime industry.
The Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission has identified the need for a clear strategy to support the holistic growth of the Territory’s maritime industry.
Businesses and industry are now invited to provide feedback on the recently released maritime industry development plan discussion paper. This discussion paper has been prepared to provide context and guide feedback from stakeholders, which will then be incorporated into the development of the maritime industry development plan.
The plan will provide a whole-of-government and industry framework for the development of the maritime sector and will include the development of the Marine Industry Park, the Darwin Ship Lift, berths for superyachts, a holistic approach to ports throughout the Territory, and a comprehensive workforce strategy.
For more information and to provide feedback, go to the Have Your Say website.
ICN Gateway is an essential tool for businesses interested in participating in defence projects in the Northern Territory (NT) and nationally. Current opportunities in the Territory include:
Other opportunities
Estate Works Program
The Estate Works Program provides maintenance projects aimed at restoring or sustaining capability and addressing safety and compliance requirements of Australian Defence Force bases, facilities and infrastructure, including those in the NT.
An update of the procurement activities from September 2021 to June 2022 and key contacts are available on the Australian Government’s Defence website.
Pathways Networking Event - 27 October 2021
The Pathways Networking Events directly connect veterans and their families with leading veteran-supportive Australian employers. These events create critical connections and provide real-time feedback and advice which help enable veterans and their families to secure long-term meaningful employment.
This event will be held at the Darwin Sailing Club from 5:30pm. For more information, go to the Soldier On Australia website.
Remembrance Day - 11 November 2021
Every year at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - we pause to remember those men and women who have died or suffered in all wars, conflicts and peace operations. Across the Territory, the following Remembrance Day services will take place, from 10:30am:
- Darwin: Darwin Cenotaph, Darwin Esplanade
- Palmerston: Memorial Park, 23 University Avenue
- Katherine: Katherine Cenotaph, Railway Parade
- Tennant Creek: Tennant Creek RSL, 50 Schmidt Street
- Alice Springs: ANZAC Hill Cenotaph
- Gove: Town Cenotaph, Arafura Memorial Park.
AIDN-NT Gala Awards Evening - 30 November 2021
Hosted by AIDN-NT, a series of awards will be presented to highlight the significant achievements of local industry to provide a high standard service and supply to Defence.
For more information and to register to attend, go to the AIDN-NT website.
ADM Defence Estate and Base Services Summit - 13 December 2021
Held in Canberra, this event provides an opportunity for effective partnering between defence and industry. It also includes insights, high-level debate and insight into the latest innovations designed to support.
For more information, go to the ADM Events website.
As part of Cyber Month it is important to remind businesses of the importance of having cyber security measures in place to alleviate the chances of being compromised. Ransomware has evolved over the last 18 months, so it is important to stay up-to-date with cyber security measures to protect your business.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre annual cyber threat report 2020-21 identified ransomware as one of the most significant threats faced by businesses in cyberspace. With ransomware becoming more sophisticated, find out more about how this particular cybercrime works and how to better protect your business from falling prey to it.
For more information head to the Australian Government’s Business website.
Thales in Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force; developing, manufacturing and delivering critical technologies.
Of the around 3,800 employees at Thales Australia, there are over 100 staff based in the Northern Territory, delivering integrated supply support (ISS) services for the Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB), providing surge support to visiting warships and special projects in Cape Class Patrol Boats.
This work, which includes planning, scheduling, intermediate and depot level maintenance, relies heavily on partnership with the Darwin local supply chain. From providing cooling and refrigeration to mechanical engineering and metal fabrication, Thales trusts more than 50 small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Darwin community to deliver their unique expertise to help ensure mission readiness for Navy’s capability.
Thales is firmly committed to not only the capabilities of Australian SMEs, but also to the importance of nurturing these innovative companies. They have a long and proud history of patient investment to build advanced in-country capability across manufacturing, critical systems and services, including small businesses in Darwin.
Mick from Micks Ally Fab said the relationship and collaboration with Thales has helped his team’s capabilities expand in response to work on the ACPB.
“On the back of the work with Thales, we’re now ISO accredited and have additional certification which has enabled us to take on more work and grow the business. We did this in response to our work with Thales.”
In July, Thales recognised 4 years of the ACPB ISS. It is extremely proud that the availability of the boats has never been higher and, defects rates never lower - a testament to the Territory team.
To read more about Thales Australia’s Darwin operations, go to the Thales Group website.
Read more about Thales Australia’s recent study into their Australian Supply Chain spending on the Thales Group website.