the future?, page-5

Moosey, you aware of this ? :

It's from October 17th issue of Australian Society of Defence Engineering. The meeting with the Federal MPs was in September ... coincidence? It's chicken feed, but I wonder if this has any relationship at all with Metal Storm and a broader policy initiative to support Austalian Defence industries.

"Senator Kim Carr and Greg Combet have launched the national $21.2 million Enterprise Connect Defence Industry
Innovation Centre. The new Dandenong centre will assist Australian defence sector businesses respond to the
unique challenges they face, including the very high demand for technological innovation.
“The Government recognises that businesses across Australia operate in an increasingly integrated international
marketplace. A key challenge in responding to this is their capacity to develop strategies to become more competitive
in the global community,” Senator Carr said. “Through this Centre, the Rudd Government is working with defence
industry businesses to provide the tools and advice they need to become more productive, innovative and
dynamic.”
Mr. Combet said that the Department of Defence developed the Centre with the Department of Innovation, Industry,
Science and Research. “The new Centre offers a range of hands-on services for small to medium enterprises
(SME's) in the defence industry sector, including free business reviews and supporting grants to help boost
productivity and support the Australian Defence Force (ADF),” Mr. Combet said. “The total Defence investment of
$21.2 million shows the Government’s strong commitment to supporting Australia’s defence sector”. “It will help
support defence small and medium enterprises to produce innovative products for the ADF and break into global
supply chains.” The Centre will be under the expert stewardship of Tony Quick, Centre Director and Chris Jenkins,
current Managing Director of Thales, as Interim Advisory Board Chair."