On 24th April 2025 we had the honour of welcoming senior leaders from the Australian Government to Varley Group’s Tomago site for a ministerial visit and Defence-focused press conference.
We were pleased to host The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence; The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry, Capability Delivery and International Development; and Meryl Swanson MP, Federal Member for Paterson.
Their visit highlighted the importance of sovereign advanced manufacturing capabilities, and the critical role industry plays in strengthening the Australian Defence Force, while recognising the Hunter Region as a thriving centre for defence innovation and industrial collaboration.
Our guests toured our Tomago facility, engaged with our skilled workforce, and gained a deeper appreciation of the depth and breadth of capability across Varley Group’s Defence, Vehicles, Services, and Systems divisions.
From integrated deployable shelters to advanced cyber security solutions, our end-to-end engineering and manufacturing capabilities are proudly designed, built, and sustained right here in Australia.
Members of our leadership team — Jeff Phillips (Managing Director), Matt Dean (CEO of Systems), and Wayne Moy (General Manager, EMC Electric Vehicles) — met with the Ministers to discuss Varley’s commitment to innovation, sovereign capability, and creating highly skilled jobs not only here in the Hunter, but across our national footprint.
During the visit we extended our thanks to Deputy Prime Minister Marles, Minister Conroy, and Ms Swanson for supporting Varley Group, and acknowledging the critical role regional industry plays in advancing Australia’s Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIPs).
We are proud to be part of a resilient and globally connected defence industrial base, committed to supporting Australia’s national security and future readiness.
Images: Varley Group Tomago – Ministerial visit, 24th April 2025