Projects of Concern Summit supports future capability success

The Australian government held its eighth Projects of Concern Summit in Canberra on Tuesday to remediate the sustainment performance of Australia’s Collins class submarines. Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy, convened the summit alongside the Minister for Finance, Senator Katy Gallagher, together with government and industry representatives. Since being listed as a Product of Concern in December 2024, Defence and the contractor, ASC Pty Ltd, have developed a remediation plan for the sustainment of the Collins class. This plan will ensure Collins class submarines remain among the most capable, conventionally powered submarines in the world. Since the revitalisation of Defence’s Projects of Concern process in 2022, the Albanese Government has strengthened the oversight and remediation of defence projects. During this term of Parliament, two projects have successfully been removed from the Projects of Concern list and three projects continue to be remediated. Defence’s new Deployable Defence Air Traffic Management and Control System was previously listed and has recently achieved initial operational capability. The project was declared a Project of Concern in 2017 due to significant schedule and commercial challenges. In 2022, the project was removed from the list because it was achieving its milestones. The system provides air traffic management approach services to ensure the safe and efficient operation of military and civilian aircraft. Final operational capability is expected in late 2026. Following a recommendation from Defence, the Government has also removed the Satellite Ground Station – East and Wideband Satellite Communications Network Management Systems project from the Projects of Concern list, signalling a major turnaround in its progress and management. After the project was listed due to ongoing delays, the Government has maintained rigorous oversight of its progress. As a result, the Satellite Ground Station was used operationally in December 2024, demonstrating successful remediation of project delivery. Since coming to office, the Albanese Government has brought renewed energy to the Projects of Concern framework, including by: Establishing an independent projects and portfolio management office within Defence; Requiring monthly reports to Ministers on Projects of Concern and Projects of Interest; Establishing formal processes and “early warning” criteria for placing projects on the Projects of Concern and Projects of Interest lists; Fostering a culture in Defence of raising attention to emerging problems and encouraging and enabling early response; Providing troubled projects with extra resources and skills; and Convening regular Ministerial summits to discuss remediation plans. Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said: “The removal of projects from the Projects of Concern list is proof that our focused effort to get projects back on track is working. The Albanese Government has brought renewed energy to the Projects of Concern process following the chaotic administration of Defence by the former Coalition government. After a revolving door of six Defence ministers in nine years, Labor has delivered much needed stability to the Defence portfolio which is helping to drive cultural change and deliver capabilities to keep Australians safe. I have now held eight Projects of Concern summits in less than three years as Minister, bringing industry and Defence together to drive better outcomes for our defence force and Australians. The former government only managed to hold four of these summits in nearly a decade. It’s no wonder that when we came to office, we found at least 28 projects running a combined 97 years late. The positive progress made by the Albanese Government is at risk under Peter Dutton, who will cut staff from Defence and put our national security at risk.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]