Shoalhaven defence businesses are already seeing the benefits of an export licence-free environment the Albanese Government established with the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) on 1 September 2024.
In less than six months, the generational reforms have provided more than 210 companies across Australia with unprecedented access to the world’s largest defence markets and have already facilitated more than $25 million in licence-free exports to the UK and the US.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said, under the reforms, local businesses like Nowra-based Mellori Solutions Pty Ltd, which is part of the Alkath Group, no longer needed a licence to export most military and dual-use goods, technologies and services to the UK and the US.
“This unlocks billions of dollars of investment in Australia and cuts red tape for Australian industry and our AUKUS partners,” Mrs Phillips said.
“It is so exciting to know that businesses in our local community, like veteran-owned Mellori Solutions at South Nowra, are seeing the positive impacts of our government’s defence export reforms.
“Mellori specialises in electromagnetic warfare, delivering electromagnetic sensor validation equipment for the ADF.
“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to cutting red tape for business and building a future made in Australia – and that is happening right here in Nowra.”
Mrs Phillips said the early progress demonstrated the significant benefits these reforms offered local businesses as well as the unprecedented trade, innovation and collaboration opportunities with our AUKUS partners.
“We are home to HMAS Albatross, HMAS Creswell, and defence and defence industry, are our biggest employers. I’m really proud of the amazing things businesses like Mellori Solutions are doing for the Shoalhaven community and our country,” she added.
Mellori Solutions managing director Phil Guy said, “The simplicity of the process to be recognised as a member of the licence-free environment has had a positive impact for Mellori, and has placed the company in a stronger position to export our capabilities”.
The trilateral licence-free environment established under the Albanese Government will continue to fast-track the delivery of high-end capabilities to the Australian Defence Force and support unprecedented levels of advanced scientific, technological and industrial cooperation with our AUKUS partners.
To implement these reforms, the Albanese Government committed $28 million in the 2024‑25 Budget, including to support industry engagement.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said it was “terrific to see so many Australian defence companies already benefitting from these landmark reforms, both in terms of the lower costs to doing business and the unprecedented access they now have to markets in the United Kingdom and United States”.
“These reforms are revolutionising our ability to trade and collaborate with our AUKUS partners and underscore the importance of our partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom under AUKUS.
“This is another practical example of how the Albanese Government is working for Australians, supporting Australian businesses and innovation,” he added.
Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said the Australian Government was delivering on its commitment to streamline defence trade and fast track the delivery of high-end capabilities to the Australian Defence Force.
“Defence continues to work closely with industry, higher education and research sector partners to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of these significant reforms,” he said.
Photo: Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy and Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips with Global Defence Solutions General Manager Jeromy Bendall during a tour of the Alkath Group head office in South Nowra.
Media contact: Katrina Condie 0437 662 967
