Asia Pacific Defence Reporter Podcast Episode 9
We start with some corrections and clarifications and then look at the Robodebt Royal Commission and ask: are there implications for Defence? There may well be. The Royal Commission exposed many examples of misleading advice being provided to government – and then politicians being complicit in going along with a scheme that was illegal. Defence has not been sending out debt notices to poor people, but it has been pushing multi-billion dollar acquisitions for which there has been almost no public discussion about how and why such large amounts are being spent. We run through some projects that appear to lack justification – at least as far of the public are concerned. And on the export of 8×8 Boxer vehicles to Germany, that is good news but please dial down the hype and exaggeration – it’s not the largest export order that Australian industry has ever won. To listen to the podcast, click here For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]
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Kym Bergmann has more than 35 years of experience in journalism and Australian and international defence industry. After graduating with Honors from the Australian National University, he joined Capital 7 television, holding several positions including foreign news editor and chief political correspondent.
After 2 years on the staff of a Federal Minister, he moved to the defence sector and held senior positions in several companies, including Blohm+Voss, Thales, Celsius and Saab. In 1997 he was one of 2 Australians selected for the Thomson CSF 'Preparation for Senior Management' MBA course, the other being Chris Jenkins - formerly the CEO of Thales Australia.
He has also worked as a consultant for a number of companies, including Raytheon, Tenix (now part of BAES) and Martin Marrietta (now part of Lockheed Martin). He had several board appointments, including Thomson Sintra Pacific (1994 - 96) and Saab Pacific (1998 - 2003).
He retains good personal links with senior figures in Government, as well as in industry and the media. He decided to return to journalism in May 2008, and holds the position of editor for Asia Pacific Defence Reporter (APDR) and Defence Review Asia (DRA). He is also a podcaster and commentator on defence and national security issues.
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