Defence continues its pursuit of industry talent to build sovereign military manufacturing, appointing Kellie Parker to lead Australia’s new Defence Delivery Agency.
The Albanese government and Defence have turned again to Australia’s minerals and resources sector for talent, with former Rio Tinto Australia CEO Kellie Parker appointed inaugural national armaments director. Parker will head up the newly established Defence Delivery Agency.
To be officially stood up on July 1, 2027, the new DDA is charged with “responsibility for delivering acquisition and sustainment projects” across the Defence estate. It’s a throwback to the days of the powerful Defence Material Organisation that previously employed Australia’s once best-paid bureaucrat, Stephen Gumley.