WA appoints new Defence Advocate
20 December 2022
Western Australia’s Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia announced the appointment of a new Defence Advocate, helping secure more defence contracts and jobs for WA.
Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Philip Spedding DSC AM RAN has been appointed as the Defence Advocate for Western Australia.
As part of the role, RADM (Ret’d) Spedding will help expand the state’s defence industry, securing more defence contracts and jobs for WA. He is also expected to chair the Defence Advisory Forum.
According to Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia’s office, the appointee has more than 40 years’ experience in Defence and government, having served with the Royal Australian Navy between 1982 and 2015.
He then transferred to the RAN Reserve.
RADM (Ret’d) Spedding will begin the role on the 16th of January 2023 and will be working from both Perth and Canberra where he will be supported by the Office of Defence West.
“Western Australia’s defence industry has gone from strength to strength with support of the WA government and a dedicated Defence Advocate,” Minister Papalia said.
“Rear Admiral Spedding is highly regarded for his knowledge and experience across the Australian defence landscape — and is the ideal person to help secure more defence contracts and jobs for WA.
“I would like to thank Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Raydon Gates AO CSM for his enduring support in the Defence Advocate role since 2017.”
Upon his commencement, he will replace the inaugural Defence Advocate Raydon Gates.
Source: Defence Connect