The Minister for Defence, Mr John Moore, patron of the Defence Exporters Council (DEC), has approved a new membership structure for the Council.
The changes include reducing the number of permanent members from 27 to 15. The new Chairman of the Council, Mr Paul Fisher, is a former Air Force pilot with extensive experience in defence and aerospace and marketing.
Mr Fisher has been a member of the DEC since its inception. At the outset he represented the defence aerospace industry but more recently has been Assistant Director of the Defence Industry Unit of Australian Business. He succeeds Mr Graham Biesse who had led the Council since its inception.
"Mr Biesse provided strong leadership to the Council in its establishment phase," Mr Fisher said. "I recognise the role the council plays in interacting with both Defence and Industry and providing guidance on the way ahead for exporters. I also support an outcome focus for the DEC aimed at enhancing opportunities for Australian defence exporters."
Mr Bryan Douglas has been elected a Vice-Chairman of the DEC for a second term. Mr Douglas, a Deputy Director of the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA) and the Secretary of the Defence Electronics and Systems Association (DESA), has been a member of the DEC since its inception.
The Defence Exporters Council is the peak body for consultation between Defence and industry on defence export matters. It was established in the lead up to the Government's Defence Industry Policy Statement.
The DEC provides policy guidance to the Minister for Defence and advises the Department on priorities for export and materiel cooperation activities. It also oversees and coordinates the management of promotional and marketing activities.
DEC membership is made up of representatives of defence industry associations, state governments and other federal government agencies which help Australian defence exporters.
The current membership of the DEC is:
Chairman: Australian Business: Paul Fisher
Vice-Chairman: Defence Electronics & Systems Association : Bryan Douglas
Members : AUSTRADE: Lloyd Downey Australian Industry Defence Network (President) : Terry Kelly Australian Industry Group's Defence Council : Greg Johannes Australian Countertrade Association : Malcolm Taylor Australia Middle East Defence Exporters Council (AMEDEC): Roy Spurway Association of Australian Aerospace Industries (AAAI) : Brian Weston Defence Teaming Centre: Charles Rudder Department of Defence (EIP) : Maurice Hermann Department of Defence (HCS) : RADM Ritchie ISONET : Brian Edwards
Rotating members: NSW: Dept of State & Regional Development : Steve Hogan NT: Dept of Asian Relations, Trade & Industry : Neil Almond Qld: Dept of State Development : Phil Presgrave SA: Economic Development Authority : David Mitchell Vic: Business Victoria : Roger James WA: Dept of Commerce & Trade : Brett Chisholm
