A new tender program launched today will increase the competitiveness of Tasmanian businesses as they vie for defence contracts across the nation.
The Tasmanian Government is taking the State's defence industry to the next level through the recently released Tasmanian Defence Industry Strategy 2029.
Premier and Minister for Trade and Major Investment, Jeremy Rockliff, said the new Tender Support Program was the first action to be delivered under the 2029 Strategy.
"We want to see Tasmanian business playing an even bigger role in enhancing Australia's military sovereignty, as well as keeping our economy strong and creating jobs for Tasmanians," Premier Rockliff said.
"The program will provide financial support to Tasmanian manufacturing and advanced technology enterprises to help fund bid and tender writing specialists to support the preparation of defence and other complex tenders.
"This program will help Tasmanian businesses to diversify and enter into the defence industry, and support existing Tasmanian defence suppliers to secure even more contracts and tap into emerging and growing, allied markets by providing expert advice during the tender process - ensuring the Tasmanian industry remains competitive.
"In just seven years we have tripled the number of Tasmanian organisations pursuing defence contracts and, together, these businesses have secured more than half a billion dollars in defence contracts over the past five years.
"We are supporting further growth because that's good for business, good for our economy, and good for jobs."
The Tender Support Program will provide up to a 50 per cent contribution to eligible project costs, with a total of $200,000 available across two years.
