2024 Conference Overview

With a third of Australia’s coastline facing the Indian Ocean, and 98 per cent of Australia’s trade travelling by sea, the security of the Indian Ocean is fundamental to Australia’s prosperity and stability.  And in the face of increasingly complex regional challenges – including the rise of a more assertive China, climate-change induced natural disasters, and the imperative for a global energy transition – Western Australia is set to play a vital role in shoring up regional stability. 

Over the course of two days, the conference addressed avenues for collaboration to build security across the Indian Ocean – including the AUKUS partnership and the commencement of US nuclear submarine rotations through HMAS Stirling from 2027, deepening partnerships between Australia, US and UK defence industry, the essential role of WA’s critical minerals sector, and the importance of collaboration with regional partners including Japan, India and counterparts across Southeast Asia. 

The conference brought together almost 3000 people, making it the largest defence conference in Western Australia’s history. Keynote speakers included the Chiefs of Navy from Australia and the US and the UK’s First Sea Lord, marking the first time since the AUKUS partnership was announced in 2021 that Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond and Admiral Sir Ben Key have met in Australia.  The attendance of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Admiral Akira Saito, the Honourable Yasuhiro Takami Senior Advisor to the Japanese Minister of Defence, Singapore’s Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat, Australia’s Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Australia’s Chief of Air Force Air Marshall Stephen Chapel and the Director General of the Australian Submarine Agency Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead underscored the significant buy-in across the region to working in and with Western Australia. 

Multiple Australian state and federal government and opposition ministers addressed the conference over the two days – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Minister for Defence Industry, International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans Affairs Matt Keogh, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King, Shadow Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie, WA’s Premier Roger Cook, Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, Minister for Defence Industries Paul Papalia, and Minister for Local Government and Youth Hannah Beazley. 

Collectively, speakers presented a consistent and clear message.  In the face of China’s military build-up, growing strategic uncertainty and pressure on the rules-based order, Australia must work with partners across the region to seek to deter the possibility of conflict.  In this endeavour, Perth and Western Australia – as host of Submarine Rotational Force-West, as the home of vast reserves of critical minerals, and growing defence industry – will be an indispensable partner.