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UWA Defence and Security Program: Uni gets $1.3 million grant to develop defence strategy policy papers with Western Australia focus

Greig JohnstonWestern Suburbs Weekly
VideoPrime Minister Scott Morrison talks about the government’s $270 billion boost to defence

At a time when the world seems more uncertain than ever, the University of Western Australia has received a $1.3 million grant to “deliver major strategic policy papers” on the nation’s defence.

The announcement of the funding came just a week after the Prime Minister revealed Australia would spend $270 billion over the next decade on its defence capabilities, including improved strike weapons and cyber security.

The new defence program at UWA aims to build on Western Australia’s “growing relevance to Australia’s defence strategic environment”, using local expertise and perspectives on defence issues such as maritime security.

VideoSunrise discuss the Federal Government’s $270 billion boost to defence

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The Federal Minister for Defence, Senator Linda Reynolds, made the announcement of the grant on Monday, during her address at the the Perth USAsia Centre.

UWA’s Professor Peter Dean, a leading defence strategy academic, will direct the new program.

He said it would collaborate with the Federal and WA Governments, industry and academics to identify new priority interests over the next three years.

“We will be working with stakeholders through a series of virtual and face-to-face roundtables, dialogues and events, over the three-year life of the grant funding,” Professor Dean said.

(L-R) Professor Stephen Smith, The Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC, Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma, Professor Peter Dean, Professor Gordon Flake.
Camera Icon(L-R) Professor Stephen Smith, The Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC, Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma, Professor Peter Dean, Professor Gordon Flake. Credit: Supplied

“We are also aiming to group together UWA’s significant defence-relevant policy and academic capabilities in a way that benefits Australia’s defence community.

“The UWA Defence and Security Program will deliver major strategic policy papers to Defence, and we will make recommendations to Government when our research shows ways in which Australia can further its strategic interests.”

UWA’s new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amit Chakma, said he hoped the new program would shift Australia’s strategic policy discussions westward.

“I would like to thank the Minister for making the time to be with us today and for her splendid announcement that UWA has been awarded a Defence Strategy Policy Grant,” Professor Chakma said.

“Universities will play a vital role in ensuring Australia’s independence and resilience – across the board.

“New knowledge, universities’ stock-in-trade, is the currency of the future, creating the technologies and capabilities which underpin strategic flexibility and adaptability, change paradigms, and create new trajectories.

“The strongest defence a nation can have is a firm, well-founded belief in itself and its capabilities.”

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