AUKUS Forum Partnership

Banana Shire Council made an announcement on 25/01/2024 that Council has signed the first-ever membership agreement between a Local Government and AUKUS Forum.

The partnership between the two organisations is for a duration of 2 years and 3 months (January 2024- April 2026).

In September 2021, leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced the creation of a security partnership called "AUKUS."

AUKUS is intended to strengthen the ability of each government to support security and defence interests.

The AUKUS Partnership has II pillars:

PILLAR I: Submarines

PILLAR II: Advanced Capabilities

AUKUS will develop and provide joint advanced military capabilities such as:

• Advanced Cyber Security
• Information Sharing
• Manufacturing and Innovation
• Quantum technologies
• Artificial intelligence and autonomy
• Hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities.

What is AUKUS Forum

AUKUS Forum is a collaborative member-led organisation across industry, academia, researchers and defence. Their mission is to support the AUKUS alliance by ensuring maximum Australian Industry participation – boosting employment throughout Australia and stimulating the economy while strengthening Australia’s national security.

Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technologies, and shared expertise, AUKUS Forum wants to ensure that Australians share in the benefits of this agreement.

Banana Shire Council – AUKUS Forum Partnership

Banana Shire Council officially became a member of AUKUS Forum on 25 January 2024.

This partnership’s main aim is to support local businesses to expand their capabilities in relation to Pillar II of AUKUS, promoting regional economic diversification and growth in the process.

About the partnership

Banana Shire Council membership can be viewed as an ‘umbrella coverage’ for our business community. 

As a member, Council has access to a wide assortment of AUKUS Forum member benefits that we allocate to businesses, within the Banana Shire Council geographical boundary, via EOI.

Council, in collaboration with AUKUS Forum, concluded the allocation of non-rotational benefits – valid for the entire duration of the partnership – to local businesses in March 2024. EOI are still open for the rotational benefits – allocated to local businesses* as they present themselves.

If you wish to know more about the partnership or would like to submit an EOI, please contact Council on enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au

* local business – any business entity that satisfies at least 2 or more of the following:

• Registered ABN within the Banana Shire Council geographical area
• Has physical premises in the Banana Shire Council geographical area
• Employs staff that are mostly located and work in the Banana Shire Council geographical area.

Ineligible businesses: Businesses headquartered elsewhere that provide drive-in-drive-out services in the Banana Shire Council geographical area.