Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 01 JULY 2026

Defence West: Western Australia To Create First Statutory Defence Authority

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Contributor
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

We have one of the largest Southeast Asia international law practices, working across the region...

View firm profile
Explore more from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

The Australian Government has identified Western Australia as the location of Henderson Defence Precinct and the operational hub for AUKUS.

AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector

What is Defence West?

The Australian Government has identified Western Australia as the location of Henderson Defence Precinct and the operational hub for AUKUS.

In that context it is interesting to see that on 17 June 2026, the Defence West Bill 2026 was introduced in Western Australia by Minister for Defence Industries, the Hon Paul Papalia MP. The Bill will turn Defence West, an agency created in 2017 in the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, into Australia’s first standalone independent statutory authority. The key objectives of Defence West as set out in the Bill are to increase the defence industry’s growth in all domains, provide expert advice, promote defence projects, and support veterans.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

See more popular content from