About the Event 

Join us on Monday 25 August for an exclusive business lunch featuring Western Australian Minister for Defence Industry The Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA and Richard V. Spencer, 76th United States Secretary of the Navy and current Chairman of Austal Limited, as they discuss the landmark Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement between Austal and the Australian Federal Government.

This timely conversation will explore what the agreement means for Australia's sovereign defence capability, with a strong focus on Western Australia's strategic role as a national hub for shipbuilding and defence industry growth. Minister Papalia and Mr. Spencer will examine the broader economic and social impacts, including investment in critical infrastructure, expansion of local supply chains, growth in property development, and new workforce opportunities across the state.

Drawing on Austal’s experience as a major contractor for the U.S. Navy and Mr. Spencer’s leadership of Austal during the Trump administration’s shipbuilding expansion, the event will also highlight lessons Australia can learn from the United States in delivering large-scale naval programs and sustaining a globally competitive defence industry.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from two key figures shaping the future of Australia’s maritime defence strategy and its economic implications for Western Australia.

Business Code: Military Uniform and Formal Attire

Event Partners

 Speakers

Austal

The Hon. Richard V. Spencer was appointed Chairman of Austal Limited on 1st July 2024.

Richard was the 76th Secretary of the United States Navy, sworn into office in August 2017 and serving until November 2019. After graduating from Rollins College University, he served in the United States Marine Corps, as an H-46 (Phrog) pilot.

After leaving active duty, Richard began a successful career in finance, working on Wall Street for 16 years for companies such as Goldman Sachs, Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette, and Bear Stearns, before becoming President of Crossroads Investment Management LLC, and Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE-ICE) and later Managing Director of Fall Creek Management LLC.

He also served on the Pentagon Defense Business Board advisory panel and the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel.

Mr. Spencer is currently the Global Chairman of Bondi Partners, an advisory firm based in Australia offering strategic counsel to corporate and government clients; Managing Director of Pallas Ventures, which focuses on emerging commercial technologies that have applicability in the National Security arena; and is a member of the board of directors of the Global Atlantic Financial Group and Focused Energy. He is also a member of the Advisory Board to the US Innovation and Technology Fund. 

WA Government

Paul was born in Bunbury and raised in the small south west town of Burekup.

He entered the Royal Australian Navy in 1978 and served in the military for 26 years eventually qualifying as a Navy Clearance Diver, serving in the counter terrorist squadron of the Special Air Service Regiment and deployed on operations to Iraq on two occasions.

In the course of his military career Paul commanded a Clearance Diving Team, a navy patrol boat and the Navy’s submarine escape and rescue service. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross and Commendations from both the Land and Maritime Commanders before leaving the service in early 2004.

Paul and his wife Gillian were self-employed in small business when he was approached to consider pre-selection for WA Labor in the lead up to the Peel by-election in late 2006.

Paul was elected to the seat of Peel in February 2007, then elected to the new seat of Warnbro in September 2008 and re-elected to that seat in 2013, 2017 and 2021.

Paul served in the Shadow Ministry after WA Labor lost office in 2008 as Shadow Minister for Tourism, Local Government, Education, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, Corrective Services and Defence Issues.

In March 2017 Paul was appointed as a Minister in the new McGowan Government, with the portfolios for Tourism, Racing and Gaming, Small Business, Defence Issues, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests.

Following the State Election in 2021, Paul was appointed as the Minister for Police, Road Safety, Defence Industry and Veterans Issues.

In December 2023, Paul was appointed as the Minister for Police, Corrective Services, Racing and Gaming; Defence Industry and Veterans Issues.