MAST 2024 Conference

In reply to the Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) ().27 November 2024).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State): The Treasurer has advised:

1. Adelaide secured the hosting rights for the international maritime, air and space technologies defence event through a Business Events Adelaide (BEA) support package. The BEA support package is commercial in confidence. Funding is offered to business events that meet strict criteria and reconciliation is completed after the business event and is performance-based.

2. Hosting MAST in our region for the first time represented an opportunity to bring together policy makers, senior defence officials, industry leaders and the R&D community to discuss global defence policy, operations, and future technologies in the nation's defence state.

a. South Australian defence organisations participated on the defence state stand in addition to the Defence Teaming Centre and Industry Capability Network (SA) to promote South Australia's capabilities to a global audience, facilitate meetings and support media announcements during the event.

b. The South Australian government through Invest SA and Defence SA hosted three visiting delegations from the United States and United Kingdom. Programs for these international visitors included networking events, targeted B2B sessions, meeting with key defence and space sector stakeholders and facility tours.

c. The South Australian government formed several new business connections over the course of the event and had the opportunity to host defence sector visitors on walking tours of key precincts such as Lot Fourteen and the Defence and Space Landing Pad prior to their departure from the state.