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ARTICLE · 03 JULY 2026

Insight Alert: Defence West: Western Australia To Create First Statutory Defence Authority

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

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

AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector
Nicholas Carney
Nicholas Carney
Dan Dragovic
Dan Dragovic
Daniel Zador
Daniel Zador
Olga Klimczak
Olga Klimczak
Sophia Richards
Sophia Richards
Author LinkedIn connections

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.

Mr Papalia said in his Second Reading Speech that the Bill would grow the defence industry, create high-value jobs, drive long-term economic diversification and support veterans. Mr Papalia stated the reforms are necessary for ensuring that Western Australia does not miss out on opportunities to expand the defence sector, particularly for long-term projects such as AUKUS.

The full article can be found here. Please do not hesitate to contact the authors, or your local HSF Kramer contacts, if you wish to discuss any of the issues raised.

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.

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