Rio Tinto executive Kellie Parker appointed to fix troubled military projects despite no defence experience
A senior mining executive with no experience in defence has been appointed to oversee Australia’s expensive and often delayed military projects, as Labor look to turn the tide on troubled projects.
A senior mining executive with no experience in defence industry has been appointed to oversee Australia’s expensive and often delayed military projects, as Labor looks to turn around troubled-plagued procurement processes.
The West Australian revealed the Albanese government will on Tuesday confirm Rio Tinto’s Kellie Parker as the inaugural National Armaments Director, to improve management of multi-billion-dollar acquisitions for the new Defence Delivery Agency.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy says Ms Parker, who was appointed Rio Tinto’s Chief Executive in 2021 after a 20-year career with the company, was the obvious choice for the new role overseeing hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of projects.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The government has highlighted the executive’s experience spanning “operational leadership, complex asset development and major transformation across the iron ore and aluminium mining areas” as ideal qualities for the new position.
“We chose someone with deep commercial expertise, strong project management background, but also equally importantly, the first and that has to build the culture of a new organization, so she’s done that twice within Rio Tinto,” Mr Conroy told the West.
“I’ve been very public in saying that we haven’t set Defence up for success. They haven’t been able to take the risks we need them to take, to move at speed, and the diluted accountability means that they haven’t been able to make decisions quickly.”
“I can hand on heart say, if you’ve got a Bible, I’ll swear on the Bible, she was our first choice — no-one said ‘no’,” the Minister added, rejecting speculation other high-profile defence industry figures had turned down the challenging job.
Mr Conroy also rejected suggestions that the confirmation of Ms Parker’s appointment had been delayed given her name was being spoken about inside his department for months.
“I don’t think it took that long,” he said.
“We wanted to find the best person and go through a really exhaustive process, and then obviously people have to go through hurdles within government to be selected.
“I think we had to get the right person. We wanted them on board before the DDA started.
“We’ve done that, and in fact, they’re on board before critical decisions are being made.”
Ms Parker will begin her appointment as National Armaments Director Designate at the Defence Delivery Group from 9 November this year, until the new Defence Delivery Agency begins operations from 1 July 2027.
Earlier this year, the Defence Department’s Capability and Sustainment Group (CASG), Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Group (GWEO) and Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group (NSSG) were integrated into a new independent Defence Delivery Group.
