One of Australia’s most renowned national security strategists has been appointed as the new Northern Territory Defence and National Security Advocate.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner today announced the appointment of Dr Alan Dupont AO, whose main role will be to advocate for the Territory and make sure NT businesses are well positioned to capitalise on the $270 billion defence equipment and capabilities spend over the next ten years. 

Dr Dupont’s work on geopolitical risk, foreign policy, defence and national security is recognised internationally.

The former Australian Army Officer has had a long and distinguished career in the defence and national security space, serving as a defence intelligence analyst, diplomat, academic and commentator.

He was also previously a member of the Northern Territory Strategic Defence Advisory Board.

Dr Dupont replaces Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Margaret Staib who has moved into the role of Australian Freight Controller, to ensure the movement of critical freight continues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Territory Labor Government appointed the very first Defence Advocate in 2017 to give local businesses the best shot at defence contracts, including:

• Sitzler, who were named Managing Contractor on the $500 million NT Training Areas and Range project
• Territoria Civil, who are delivering a $12 million earthworks contract at the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct
• Sunbuild, who have been awarded a $34 million contract to build a new NORFORCE Precinct

The Government is also pleased to announce the appointment of Lieutenant General Mark Evans AO DSC, as the inaugural NT Defence Envoy.

General Evans will support the work led by Dr Dupont and the NT National Security Advisory Group to help promote our local capabilities and drive investment in this critical sector for the Territory.

An updated Northern Territory Defence and National Security strategy will be released later this year to ensure local businesses get the maximum benefit from planned Australian and US defence projects.

Quotes from Chief Minister, Michael Gunner:

“I appointed the Territory’s first ever Defence Advocate in 2017 to make sure the NT capitalised on defence infrastructure opportunities so as many locals as possible got work.

In the last three years we have seen millions injected into the Territory economy through the awarding of local contracts, which has created hundreds of jobs.

“The appointment of Dr Alan Dupont will be pivotal in continuing to position the Territory front and centre in Canberra, and make sure Territory businesses benefit as much as they can from defence spending.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are in a rapidly changing environment where there is an increased focus on broader national security resilience, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The Northern Territory Government is stepping up its defence presence, to ensure Territorians benefit from the investment from an increased US defence footprint in the Top End.”

Quotes from Dr Alan Dupont AO:

“I’m honoured to be appointed as the Northern Territory’s new Defence and National Security Advocate and I look forward to working closely with the Territory Government to advance the Territory’s interests in this important sector.

“I believe that with effective leadership, and a strategic focus, the defence and national security sector can make an even greater contribution to the Northern Territory’s growth and prosperity by capitalising on the Territory’s proximity to Asia, sovereign capabilities and its growing importance as a forward operating base for the Australian Defence Force and our national security agencies.”