In October, the United States Studies Centre (USSC) launched a major report – UPSCALE: Using Private Sector Capital for the Alliance.
Drawing lessons from the US experience, this report tackles the pressing issue of how to finance Australia's national security capabilities. It includes policy recommendations to address the challenges faced by Australian small and medium enterprise, private equity and venture capital, and government.
USSC CEO, Dr Michael J. Green, hosted the event featuring a keynote address by Mr Doug Beck, dialling in virtually from the United States. Mr Beck is the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), part of the US Department of Defense. The DIU targets the adoption of commercial technology for military purposes. Mr Beck was previously Vice President at Apple and is a Captain in the US Navy Reserve.
Following the keynote speech, ABC's defence correspondent, Mr Andrew Greene, moderated a discussion and Q&A with UPSCALE report authors, Ms Hayley Channer and Dr John Kunkel.