Page 50 - Australian Defence Magazine June 2022

50 SMALL TO MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AIDN
JUNE 2022 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
I can often explain something, and then people can develop their own answer. If there’s a problem in working with the procurement organisation, I’m quite happy to ring the or- ganisation and say “I’ve got members who are struggling with your procurement team; I think we need to bring both parties together so that both sides can stake their claims and try to work together.”
However, I’m not here to write somebody’s proposal, I’m not here as their business development person, our job is to help and assist, and direct as much as possible. People may ask for us when they have to replan, particularly their Aus- tralian Industry Content (AIC) plan. I’m quite happy to read
We’re now looking more at how we engage with Science and Technology because part of AIDN’s role is to ensure that government understands workforce requirements. And we’ve got a very strong relationship with the Naval Ship- building College; we’ve been able to help them in their thought processes in terms of the services they can pro- vide because we have clever members who are very willing to provide ideas and concepts. These are the people trying to run businesses, trying to employ people, these are the people who have good ideas.
ADM: And AIDN’s relationship with primes?
CLARK: We’ve worked very hard to have good relationships with the prime contractors. At the start there was a bit of everyone staring at each other but now that we’ve tried to establish that mutually-beneficial trust a prime may ask us to assist in making sure our members understand a particu- lar issue. Obviously, some of the primes are quite inclusive of SMEs, and some of the primes are not so inclusive. It’s a fact of life.
Working with some of the primes is easier because they’re really keen to bring the Australian supply chain along. It’s like anything in life, we have some really good relationships and we have some OK relationships. I don’t think we have any bad relationships – certainly none that I’m aware of.
ADM: What’s AIDN’s view on the strength and enforce- ability of AIC requirements?
CLARK: I don’t believe we’re addressing the inclusion of AIC properly. There’s a lot of government policy, there’s a lot of government direction, and I have no doubt senior ex- ecutives at CASG are pushing for the inclusion of Austra- lian industry, but it’s a very difficult environment.
ABOVE: Ocius’ Bluebottle participating in an Autonomous Warrior exercise in Jervis Bay
“OUR MEMBERSHIP IS AS DIVERSE AS DEFENCE INDUSTRY BECAUSE IT INCLUDES SO MUCH OF DEFENCE INDUSTRY”
that and quite happy to provide some thoughts but obviously non-binding. I might say I think you’re a bit weak in this area or I might change that, but that doesn’t imply that Defence will accept it, it’s just what AIDN thinks.
ADM: How’s your relationship with Defence?
CLARK: I think it’s become very good and quite trusting. Now that we’re
working closely together, I’ve found Defence to be genuine- ly responsive and very willing to try to sort out a problem. That doesn’t mean that every time I ring Defence they’re going to do what I ask them to do – quite often Defence will turn around and say ‘well, that’s just the way it is’ and that’s their answer but it’s not the end of the story – we will con- tinue to work with Defence to try to resolve the outcome.
But if we believe there’s something occurring that is un- reasonable and Defence can’t do anything about it, then we’re quite happy to elevate that to the next level within the Department – or go to our Defence Industry Minister, whose office is very responsive. If it’s a bigger issue obvi- ously we could take it to the minister, but most of the things we do are very industry-focused.
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