• Defence West to represent Western Australia for the first time at the Avalon International Airshow in Victoria
• Western Australia's strategic significance and defence industry capability will be highlighted 

Defence Issues Minister Paul Papalia is today attending the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition in Avalon, Victoria.

Avalon 2019, which is being held at the Avalon Airport, is a global business event which attracts aviation, air transport, aerospace, defence industry, government, military leaders and decision makers from around the world.

Western Australia's Defence Advocate, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Raydon Gates AO CSM and Defence West will accompany Mr Papalia where they will explore opportunities for the State's defence industry. They will also engage with senior government and industry representatives.

Western Australia will be well represented with a number of innovative companies and universities, including The University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University and Curtin University representing Western Australia's capacity and diverse skills in the defence industry.

Organisations participating include Airflite Pty Ltd; Persistent Aerospace; Precision Technic Defence; WA Defence Review; Sci Aero Technology; Hofmann Engineering; L3 Technologies; Matrix Composites and Engineering; Orbital UAV; United Fasteners and IKAD Engineering.

Comments attributed to Defence Issues Minister Paul Papalia:

"Western Australia's defence industry has strengths in areas relevant to the RAAF including aircraft maintenance, systems integration and precision engineering.

"The rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape has seen a shift in focus to the Indo-Pacific region, having implications for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

"Western Australia is the gateway to the Indo-Pacific and is in close proximity to the emerging economies located on the Indian Ocean rim. The State is of great strategic significance to the Australian Defence Force."

Minister's office - 6552 5600