Defending Australia panel discussion: How to watch the live stream on December 9

The heads of some of the country’s biggest defence companies have spoken at a landmark panel discussion after an address from the Prime Minister. Replay it here.

Solutions to some of the most complex issues plaguing Australia’s defensive efforts will be unearthed at The Advertiser’s landmark Defending Australia event at the University of Adelaide.

The heads of some of the biggest defence companies in the country will speak at the roundtable discussion after an address from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Peter Malinauskas.

Backed by defence industry leaders, the Defending Australia campaign highlights the extensive opportunities on offer for young people to step up and protect the country by working in highly-skilled, lucrative jobs of the future.

REPLAY THE DISCUSSION

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Australia is facing a worrying skilled worker shortage that is imperilling the country’s ambitious defence procurement strategy, which involves building at least eight nuclear-powered submarines and nine Hunter-class frigates in Adelaide.

More than 10,000 additional workers will be required in the next 15 years to build the assets needed to protect the nation in a region that has become the epicentre of global tension.

The Defending Australia event will include two panel discussions – the first featuring Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Colin Stirling and University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Peter Hoj, who just signed a historic agreement to merge with UniSA by 2026, forming one of the world’s top-50 university.

The first panel, hosted by The Advertiser’s Editor-at-Large Paul Starick, will also feature TAFE SA’s executive director of academic development, Penny Johnston.

Mr Malinauskas will join some of the country’s biggest defence heavyweights in the headline panel to be hosted by Advertiser editor Gemma Jones.

BAE Systems Australia chief executive Ben Hudson and Babcock Australasia boss David Ruff will address some of the most important questions about the country’s defence.

KHA Defence Solutions chief executive Graeme Hunter and Defence SA boss Richard Price will also feature on the panel.

BAE’s managing director, Craig Lockhart, said he welcomed the state and federal governments establishing a national workforce and skills taskforce, but said it was time for action.

“Now it’s time for the rubber to hit the road,” he said.

“We need everyone to understand the critical importance of the current and future defence programs that underpin Australia’s defence and national security.”

Mr Ruff said there had “never been a more exciting time” to launch a defence industry career, while Mr Price said the growing defence sector would make the country a global manufacturing powerhouse.

Mr Hunter said the Defending Australia campaign had generated awareness of issues and opportunities as the industry was “in the midst of a generational shift”.

Defending Australia panel discussion artwork