Futurenet SA: Defence in South Australia - what’s the state of play?
Join FutureNet SA for an exclusive social networking event exploring South Australia’s growing role in Australia’s defence future.
The evening will feature a discussion with defence industry experts, sharing insights into the evolving defence landscape and South Australia’s emergence as a critical hub for defence capability, innovation and delivery. Industry experts will discuss upcoming opportunities across the defence pipeline, including major programs such as AUKUS, and the infrastructure, skills and resourcing required to support them.
From workforce and supply-chain challenges to long-term industry growth, the discussion will unpack the key issues shaping defence projects now and into the future. There will also be space for open conversation around current hot topics and emerging priorities, with an opportunity for broader discussion guided by the interests of attendees.
Connect with peers, hear directly from industry leaders, and gain valuable insight into what’s ahead for defence in South Australia and across Australia.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Venue: Arup Adelaide Office, 182 Victoria Square, Adelaide
Cost: $75 (Inc GST).
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Featured
Ben Turner
An established defence and resources leader with 20 years of global technical, operational and project experience. Proven record working with stakeholders to deliver complex outcomes in challenging operational, cultural, and geographical environments.
Led large teams to improve engineering expertise, technical assurance, operational strategy, and risk management. Delivered sustainable high-performance, continuous improvement, and strong systems for organisations such as ASC Pty Ltd, BHP Ltd and Santos Ltd.
A Chartered Professional Engineer with skill in multiple technical disciplines, Fellow and Engineering Executive with Engineers Australia.
Experienced volunteer member of the Risk and Governance Committee of the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia.
Tony Mackay JP
Tony Mackay JP is the ANZ Defence Lead at Arup, responsible for driving growth, strategy, and capability across the Defence sector in Australia and New Zealand at Arup. He works closely with government and industry partners to support the delivery of complex Defence infrastructure and estate programs, applying a disciplined, outcomes‑focused approach.
Tony brings more than 35 years of experience across military service, government, and industry. He served 21 years in the Australian Regular Army with the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, including roles with the 5/7th Battalion and 4th Commando Regiment, and operational deployments with the 6th Battalion. He later held senior defence engineering advisory roles, discharging in 2009 as a Warrant Officer Class One, Artificer Sergeant Major.
Following military service, Tony transitioned into the Australian Federal Government, holding senior roles including Chief of Staff and Head of the Office of the CEO at the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, and is a Justice of the Peace.
Since 2014, Tony has led major Defence projects across engineering, construction, logistics, and estate infrastructure. He is also the owner of Insync Management Solutions, facilitates Defence industry leadership programs, and is the author of The Leader’s Handbook.