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THE FAWCETT FLYER OCTOBER 2019

APRIL 2018 1 Throughout , October 26th to November 3rd was 2019 Veterans Health Week. This year, the week’s focus was ‘Mental Wellness’.

It’s a critical aspect of overall health and wellbeing for all of us and sustaining your physical health and social connectedness can have a positive influence on your mental health.

This is true for returning service personnel, which is why I have worked with The Road Home and the Cruising Yacht Club of to instigate initiatives like “Setting a New Course” - the pilot program which uses sail training as a vehicle towards physical and mental rehabilitation. This month, the first group of five veterans completed their last module of the program, and I spent time with the group to debrief and hear of the positive impact the program has had as part of their recovery.

The final element of the program was three days aboard a 38 foot sailing vessel making their way across Gulf St Vincent. Through this experience, they learnt new skills and faced a range of weather related and technical challenges together in a small team environment.

In this month’s Fawcett Flyer, we cover Australia’s strengthening relationship with Fiji (pg. 6), my comments on the latest developments in the Syrian region (pg. 2), growth in the SA Space Sector (pg. 4), and more.

If you would like more information on any of these topics or another of a Federal nature, please contact my office.

Kind regards, SENATOR DAVID FAWCETT

OCTOBER 2019 IN THE 2 MEDIA

As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald this month, I have significant concerns about the recent The Australian government is developments in Syria. deeply troubled by Turkey’s unilateral military operation into north-eastern Syria… The I am troubled that the results “ achieved by the international Australian government notes , which had reduced in that the Syrian Democratic violence in the region by defeating “Forces (SDF) have been and constraining the actions of ISIS steadfast partners for the fighters, will now be undermined. international coalition in the fight against Da’esh, and have

borne a significant share of the sacrifice.”

“I am concerned Turkey’s action will significantly undermine the In the midst of the escalating gains made by the international tensions and decreasing security in coalition in fight against Da’esh, “ the region, I welcome the news that both in the region and beyond. US Special Forces have located “We are also already seeing and killed ISIS leader, Abu Bakr additional civilian casualties Al-Baghdadi. This development, and significant population however, and tentative ceasefire do displacement, coupled with not resolve my apprehension that reduced humanitarian access. this instability may create a strategic vacuum in northern Syria, which has the potential to re-energise ISIS. For my full comments published in the My comments echoed those of Sydney Morning Herald, click here my federal colleague and Minister or use the QR Code below. for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon who also acknowledges the contribution of the Kurdish forces in the region:

THE FAWCETT FLYER 3 ADDRESSING NATO IN LONDON

Representing Australia, I spoke parliamentary observer delegations at the 65th Annual Session of the take part in addition to the member NATO Parliamentary Assembly, nation delegates. While Australia is held in London this month. not a NATO member, our status as an enhanced opportunity partner Made up of 266 delegates from 29 nation, along with our deployments NATO member nations including to NATO mission in Afghanistan, give Spain, US, Germany, the UK and us good access to this important France, the Assembly is a specific defence alliance. forum for members of parliament from the nations that support The Assembly is a great example of NATO to discuss emerging threats a multilateral body where Australia and opportunities for enhanced can make a sovereign choice to collaboration. engage with other like-minded nations, where it supports our It provides a platform to influence national interest and encourages decision-making in areas relevant to adherence to the global rules-based NATO, and its policies are adopted order. For more information on this by the 29 governments of the session of the NATO Parliamentary Alliance represented in the North Assembly, click here or use the QR Atlantic Council (NAC). Delegates Code below. from various inter-parliamentary assemblies, twelve associate countries, four Mediterranean associate countries, as well as eight

OCTOBER 2019 SA’s SPACE SECTOR 4 ON COURSE FOR THE STARS

Coinciding with World Space Premier Steven Marshall, Tyvak are Week, last month brought about joining this influx by building a new the 8th Annual Space Forum and high-tech satellite production facility 19th Australian Space Research in to manufacture their Conference which took place at the world leading nano-satellites. Adelaide Convention Centre. I joined Minister for Industry, Science More than 1,000 delegates and Technology, the Hon Karen attended, demonstrating the Andrews MP and other dignitaries, increasing strength of the Australian including Premier Marshall, Head and South Australian space sectors. of the Australian Space Agency Dr Megan Clark, Australia’s first In just two years, SA’s space sector astronaut Andy Thomas AO, and has grown from 8 businesses to Nicolle Flint MP at the official opening now 34. of the event (pictured, above).

One such example of a high- The high-tech manufacturing tech manufacturer expanding or necessary to create state-of-the- relocating their operations into South art defence products lends itself Australia is Tyvak Nano-Satellite very well to also producing space Systems. Announced as part of the industry components. Conference’s Official Opening by

THE FAWCETT FLYER Through my visits to space jobs and help them engage with 5 and defence sector businesses upcoming NASA missions to the throughout South Australia, I am Moon and Mars. seeing the growth of manufacturing SMEs which are capitalising on Not only does this space industry these opportunities in both the growth lead to more jobs but the space and defence sectors. research and development required for innovation leads to technology While Minister Andrews was – originally developed for space still in Adelaide, we visited local travel – being used to improve our manufacturers Axiom and XTek daily lives and deliver real, practical which are both currently contributing benefits. to Australia’s sovereign capability through the manufacture of high- Space industry research and tech defence equipment. These development has led to the businesses also both indicated they creation of products including the were exploring opportunities in the smartphone cameras, memory emerging space sector. foam, home insulation, baby formula, portable vacuums, LEDs This is one of the reasons why lights, solar cells, GPS and water our state of South Australia is purification. the logical choice for the location of the Australian Space Agency Our Government’s long-term goal Headquarters, Mission Control is to triple the size of our national and Space Discovery Centre space sector from $4 billion to $12 made possible through the Federal billion and from 10,000 jobs to Liberal Government’s $26 million 30,000 jobs by 2030. investment. For my discussion with Minister The Federal Liberal Government Andrews on SA’s Space sector, click has announced almost $500 million here or use the QR Code below. in investment for Australia’s space sector since the inception of the Australian Space Agency just over a year ago, including $150 million recently announced in support for Australian businesses to create

OCTOBER 2019 AUSTRALIA IN 6 THE FIJIAN ‘VUVALE’

From the Blackrock Peacekeeping ever to Fiji by an Australian Prime and Humanitarian Assistance and Minister, and the governments’ Disaster Relief Camp – a Pacific bilateral business and economic Island regional hub for police relationship has developed and peacekeeping training in the since. Fijian Prime Minister Frank Fijian city of Nadi, Prime Minister Bainimarama visited Australia in and Foreign Affairs September where both nations Minister Senator the Hon Marise became signatories of the Fiji- Payne addressed the media this Australia Vuvale Partnership. month on their visit to Fiji (pictured, above). ‘Vuvale’ is the Fijian word for ‘family’, and the agreement consists of five An important regional partner in pillars where both countries have the Pacific, Fiji is an island nation committed to further developing our of approximately 900,000 people close relationship: and naturally rich in gold, timber, 1. strengthening people-to-people links; fish, and copper. While Fiji consists 2. enhancing security cooperation; of approximately 330 islands, only 3. deepening economic relationship; some 110 islands have a fixed 4. building cooperation on international population. and regional issues; and 5. fostering closer institutional linkages Prime Minister Morrison’s January in support of strong and inclusive visit to Fiji marked an important societies. milestone as the first bilateral visit

THE FAWCETT FLYER In 2018, the Australian and Fijian Australian Fiji Business Council and 7 governments committed to a joint all its member businesses. Fijian redevelopment of the Blackrock Prime Minister Bainimarama was Camp, because Fiji is a valued also in attendance, demonstrating partner to Australia in our ongoing the importance of our trade efforts to sustain regional security relationship with our Pacific throughout the Pacific, as pledged in neighbours. Vuvale. Work is currently underway. Fiji is a relative newcomer to the Under the Pacific Maritime Security Pacific Labour Scheme and the Program (PMSP), Fiji will receive two latest of 10 nations to sign up, joining replacement Guardian-class patrol in April. The scheme, commencing boats which will enable their ongoing in 2018, complements the existing involvement in regional security Seasonal Worker Programme and law enforcement operations. which has enabled 1,000 Fijian The PMSP includes a $2 billion workers to gain employment in rural investment over three decades to and regional Australia since 2012. replace the Guardian-class patrol boats, improve integrated aerial Demonstrating Fijian sentiments of surveillance throughout the region, Australia’s increased involvement and enhance regional cooperation. in the region through the Pacific Step-Up, Fijian Defence, National Through ‘Vuvale’, the Fijian and Security and Foreign Affairs Australian governments have Minister Inia Seruiratu said: also committed to supporting “We are aware of all the assistances international issues evident through in the development programs not this month’s announcement that only for Fiji but for all the other Australian peacekeepers would countries as well for climate change. soon be sent to train and support the Australia is committed to the Paris 194 Fijian peacekeepers deployed Agreement as well.” in Israel’s Golan Heights as part of For more on the ‘Vuvale’ the United Nations Disengagement partnership, click here or use the Observer Force. QR Code below.

The 25th Australia Fiji Business Forum also took place this month in Brisbane, bringing together the

OCTOBER 2019 COMMITTEE 8 UPDATE

Of all the Committee work that took Commission, Law Council of place this month, the inquiries which Australia and Australian Centre for received the most attention related International Justice. to Press Freedom in Australia. Supplementary Budget Estimates An inquiry on this topic is currently also occurred in October which for before the Environment and me involved four days of hearings Communications References spread across varying portfolios Committee and a report is due to including Environment and Energy, be completed by the 4th December. Communications and the Arts, Defence and Veterans Affairs, as I am also involved in a separate well as Foreign Affairs and Trade. inquiry into the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and intelligence The full Hansard record of questions powers on the freedom of the press and answers will be available soon is before the Parliamentary Joint on the Parliament’s website: aph. Committee on Intelligence and gov.au Security (PJCIS), which is due to report on the 28th November. To track any inquiry before Committees, click here or use the PJCIS also held a public hearing QR Code below. this month in Canberra for the Committee’s review of the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Cessation) Bill 2019.

Witnesses included representatives of the Australian Human Rights

THE FAWCETT FLYER 9 OUT AND ABOUT

Representing Australia, I spoke This month, the first group at the 65th Annual Session of the completed their last module of NATO Parliamentary Assembly, “Setting a New Course” - three held in London this month. (More days aboard a 38 foot sailing vessel on Page 3.) making their way across Gulf St Vincent. (More on Page 1.)

I took the opportunity to discuss career options in the ADF and Australia’s growing defence industry with the Year 10 cohort at St Michael’s College, Henley Beach. These students are able to select from dozens of career pathways catering for varying skill levels and interest, from tertiary or trade qualified professionals in a range of high-tech professional roles.

OCTOBER 2019 10

At the 8th Annual Space Forum and 19th Australian Space Research Conference in Adelaide, which While Minister Andrews was in displayed all the SA space sector’s Adelaide, we visited high-tech important work. defence and space manufacturers. This conference brought together One was XTek - producers of over 1,000 delegates including defence products including ballistic Australian Space Agency head, Dr armour, weapons, advanced Megan Clark with whom we had the composite materials, and small chance to speak. (More on Page 4.) drones. XTek’s Managing Director, Mr Philippe Odouard and Senior Mechanical Engineer, Scott showed us around their facility in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. (More on Page 4.)

For more, like @senatorfawcett on Designs of the new Adelaide Airport Facebook. building, which will house the Vickers Vimy aircraft, were revealed this month. The restored aircraft that Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith flew 100 years ago will take pride of place in the new Adelaide Airport terminal expansion, thanks to the investment of $4 million from the Federal Liberal and State Liberal Governments.

THE FAWCETT FLYER 11

Senator for South Australia Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

Suite 4 13/100 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000 8205 1040 [email protected] senatorfawcett.com.au

AUTHORISED AND PRINTED BY SENATOR DAVID FAWCETT, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, SUITE 4, LEVEL 13, 100 KINGAPRIL WILLIAM 2018 STREET ADELAIDE SA 5000