Minister for Defence Industry, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, today announced Ms Kate Carnell AO had been appointed Co-Chair of the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) Advisory Board.
Mr James Fitzgerald, the Executive Chairman of Civmec, was also appointed to the Board, and serving members Ms Karen Stanton, Director Corporate Strategy, at Heat Treatment Group and Ms Amanda Holt, CEO and Chief Engineer Defence and Aerospace, SYPAQ Systems, were reappointed.
Minister Reynolds said Ms Carnell would bring extensive experience from the business sector to the CDIC’s Advisory Board.
“Ms Carnell is the current Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and a former Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister. Prior to her appointment, she served as Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Ms Carnell was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2006 for her contributions to economic development and support for the business sector, knowledge industries, the medical sector and medical technology advances.”
Minister Reynolds also welcomed the addition of Mr Fitzgerald to the CDIC’s Advisory Board.
“I am pleased to welcome Mr Fitzgerald to the CDIC Advisory Board. Mr Fitzgerald is committed to Australian manufacturing and has a strong belief in the training and development of people.
“The CDIC will benefit from his perspective, especially with the Government’s focus on skilling in Australia’s defence industry workforce.”
Ms Carnell replaces Mr Paul Johnson as the Advisory Board Co-Chair representing industry.
“I would like to congratulate and thank Mr Johnson for his service to the Advisory Board and the CDIC over two years. Mr Johnson has been a dedicated and energetic advocate for small-to-medium enterprises in defence industry,” Minister Reynolds said.
The CDIC is a Defence industry policy initiative that assists Australian businesses entering or working in the defence industry and supports sector-wide projects to improve the capacity and capability of Australia’s defence industry.
The Advisory Board brings together industry leaders and senior public sector representatives to guide the CDIC’s work.
