The Hon. Philip Dalidakis MP - travel report - United Kingdom and Germany, December 2015
| Minister | The Hon. Philip Dalidakis MP |
|---|---|
| Portfolio | Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade |
| Countries visited | United Kingdom, Germany |
| Date of travel | 12 December 2015 – 19 December 2015 |
| No. of official travel days (including date of departure and date of return) | 8 days |
| Number of accompanying ministerial staff | 1 |
| Accompanied by spouse in an official capacity | No |
| Funding for the overseas trip was paid by (list department/s or agency) | Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources |
| Air fares (including taxes and fees) | $19.139.30* |
| Accommodation (including taxes and fees) | $5,444.26* |
| Other expenses (includes surface travel and travel allowances) | $6,460.23* |
| Travel cost for minister and staff | $31,043.79* |
*The above costs are not final and complete
Purpose of travel
I travelled to the United Kingdom and Germany from the 12 to 19 December 2015 to confirm the attraction to Melbourne of the Oxford Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre (GCSCC) and to promote Melbourne and Victoria as Asia Pacific's leading hub for start-ups, innovation and technology businesses, and to further attract other key enterprises and organisations to establish regional offices and new businesses in the State.
The objectives were to:
- reinforce Victoria as Australia's leader in cyber security research and industry development by the confirmation that the Oxford GCSCC had chosen Melbourne as its first international location and that is would be establishing a regional office in Q1/2 2016;
- promote increased awareness of Victoria's capabilities in entrepreneurial activities and innovative business;
- facilitate increased exports and attract investment; and
- support local job growth in Victoria.
Key elements of my program included:
- announcement of the attraction to Melbourne of the Oxford GCSCC by way of an official ceremony and confirmation of the terms of agreement (MOU) for the GCSCC's establishment in Melbourne;
- further announcement of two other significant cyber security initiatives including the creation of the Oceania Cyber Security Centre (OCSC) and the attraction to Melbourne of CSIRO and Data61's national cyber research leadership to be co-located with the OCSC and the Oxford GCSCC;
- establishment of a platform for UK innovation and technology companies to enter the Australian market through Victoria, and to encourage existing investors to expand their Victorian businesses;
- attending high level government and business meetings to discuss and promote other opportunities for cyber security collaboration, entrepreneurial activities, research and business development; and
- visiting key start-up, incubators, venture capital and multiplier associations to promote opportunities under LaunchVic.
Benefits of travel to the State of Victoria
Mission outcomes for Victorian companies
A total of 17 high-level meetings with senior business leaders were conducted, in addition to the Oxford MOU and a Victorian Connection event held at Australian House in London.
Quantitative outcomes from the mission are still being compiled, however, some preliminary outcomes are as follows:
- The Oxford Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre and DEDJTR confirmed and announced the Terms of Agreement for Melbourne to become the regional headquarters of the Centre in Asia-Pacific;
- An international communications company will visit Melbourne in February 2016 to explore investment and commercial opportunities as part of its Asia-Pacific expansion and to assist with the establishment of the OCSC in regards to its learnings from the UK;
- Cyber London (Cylon Labs Accelerator) have commenced discussions with Victorian based telecommunications and technology companies on partnerships opportunities relating to their cyber incubator program;
- Facilitating a company visit to Melbourne in March 2016 to commence a process to establish a regional office in Victoria for its international technology business;
- A technology company will begin formal discussions with Launch Victoria on the appropriate model for its market entry in Australia. This will act as an integration to its other international locations and enable Victorian start-ups to access a global network of creativity;
- Working with an international cyber-security business on its growth strategy for its Australian business, including the investment the company will be making in its Melbourne operations. This investment includes the establishment of new business units responsive to cyber threats, and a focus of working with governments on infrastructure/policy requirements;
- An international leader in fingerprint and biometric identifications systems identified Melbourne as a possible location to expand its Asia-Pacific business. Currently the company is considering a number of locations in Asia-Pac after successfully acquiring a number of contracts with the Indonesian Government. It has identified a strong growth opportunity in the Asia-Pacific and needs a location which can equally provide further R&D capability as well as providing a stable platform for expansion. DEDJTR will continue to work with the company in developing the business case for Melbourne and Victoria.
- Working with an aviation company that has identified Melbourne as a potential location for consideration as it evaluates its Asia-Pacific business operations. DEDJTR will continue to work with them on the development of an appropriate business case.
Meetings to promote relationship building and business opportunities for Victoria relating to start-ups, entrepreneurism and technology
I visited Tech City UK's London Incubator which was launched in 2010 as the Tech City Investment Organisation. Tech City is funded by InnovateUK with additional private contributions and its areas of focus include promotion, policy and programs related to the development of the technology sector in the United Kingdom. A key recent initiative is the mapping of technology businesses and capabilities nationwide and how Tech City is using this information to advocate for further policy change and additional government support. This information also provides a basis for collaboration between the tech sector and its participant companies which will be used as a benchmark for LaunchVic's activities.
I met with London and Partners who had recently appointed a Melbourne based technology investment specialist, and with whom DEDJTR has formed a partnership to align FDI and export development activities between the cities. London and Partners are planning a range of activities to be held in Melbourne in late 2016 around technology collaboration and FDI/DDI (domestic direct investment) promotion.
I conducted a roundtable meeting with UKTI at its Cyber Security Demonstration Centre and discussed collaborative international policy and other initiatives. I achieved consensus on a platform for UKTI to assist Victorian cyber companies on business development activities in the UK, in addition identifying a number of mutually beneficial marketing events. UKTI agreed to regular briefings with the London VGBO of which I will be updated on.
Other meetings
I met with the Deputy Director of the Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance (OCSIA) from the UK Government and discussed and compared various policy settings and operational activities related to cyber security and transformational technology initiatives in a government context. These discussions focussed on skills enhancement, cyber security awareness and preparedness and industry linkages. I established a platform for further discussions with the OCSIA as Victorian Government initiatives and policy continue to develop.
I was the keynote speaker at the Victorian Connections Christmas Networking event held at Australia House, London, hosted by the Victorian Agent-General. I updated the 150+ attendees on Victorian Government policy and initiatives for 2016 and answered subsequent questions from the audience.
Next steps / follow up
A number of trade and investment opportunities and potential joint research activities arose as a result of the mission and are being followed up by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.
The department will continue to liaise with the individual companies and organisations met with on this visit to quantify their expected outcomes in terms of potential investment opportunities.
Page last updated: 20 July 2016