South Australia signs MoU with UK to increase defence industry ties

The UK’s Foreign Secretary, Elizabeth Truss MP, and Premier for South Australia, Steven Marshall MP, have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase UK-Australia industry ties. It was signed while Foreign Secretary Truss was in Australia for the Australia United Kingdom Ministerial (AUKMIN) Meeting in late-January.

It is the first state level agreement between the Australia and the UK, deepening ties with South Australia in industries such as space, cyber and green technologies and helping SA take full advantage of the recently announced UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

The key industries within the scope of the MoU include:

• Space industries
• Cyber security
• Defence industries
• Post-pandemic circular economy opportunities
• Science, technology and innovation
• Creative industries and cultural ties
• Trade and investment

“Our ambitious new initiative with South Australia will boost export opportunities and unblock barriers for British and Australian businesses,” Foreign Secretary Truss said

“It will support jobs, create opportunities, boost supply chains and drive economic growth.”

The agreement is also expected further cultural and educational links, including fostering people-to-people links between the UK and South Australia

As a hub of naval shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing, whilst in South Australia, Foreign Secretary Truss took the opportunity to visit BAE Systems Australia at Osborne Naval Shipyard and see progress of the Hunter class frigates.

Australian Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham said, it was wonderful to welcome UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss to Adelaide.

”As the defence industry hub of Australia, South Australia is well positioned to reap extraordinary benefits from closer cooperation with the UK as part of the new AUKUS trilateral security partnership,” Senator Birmingham said.