Kate Lundy
Kate Lundy was an ACT Senator for 19 years. In 2012-13, during the Gillard government, she was Sports Minister and held assistant ministerial posts in innovation and technology. Immediately upon leaving politics Lundy took up directorships with a sport technologies network and the NRMA, and was soon appointed to the federal government’s Cyber Security Research Centre board. In addition, from 2016-2018 Lundy was employed by the ACT Government as Defence Industry Advocate. While in this role she became a director of Electro Optic Systems, a Canberra-based weapons systems manufacturer, which exports its products to Saudi Arabia and the UAE (both countries are accused of war crimes in Yemen).
Current Positions
Corporate
Member, Region Media Advisory Board (August 2020–present)
Publisher of Canberra’s Riot Act, amongst other mastheads
Director, Electro Optic Systems (23.3.18–present)*
Canberra manufacturer of weapons systems. The company also produces naval radar systems and operates in the space sector.
Director, National Roads and Motorists’ Association (NRMA) (25.3.15–present*; re-elected 7.12.19 for 4-year term)
Director, Technology Innovation Partners (29.10.14–present)*
Lundy’s consulting company
* ASIC record (accessed 6.7.20)
Government
ACT Government roles
Defence Industry Ambassador and member of ACT Government Defence Industry Advisory Board (term: 1.1.19–31.3.21)^
Previously, 1.1.18–31.12.18, the ACT Defence Industry Advocate and ex officio member of the ACT’s new Defence Industry Advisory Board; while employed in this role Lundy also became a director of EOS. From 1.2.16–31.12.17, ACT Government Local Industry Advocate. In September 2016, the role of Defence Industry Advocate was added to her remit, “within the parameters of the existing contract arrangements.”^
Deputy Chair, Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) board (3 year appointment; 1.4.20–present)#
Victorian Government
Board member (honorary), Australian Grand Prix Corporation (June 2016–present; re-appointed June 2019 for 3-year term)#
Federal Government
Member, Space Industry Leaders Forum (two year appointment, commenced 30.9.19–present)#
The Forum is the primary mechanism for engagement and coordination between government and the space industry within Australia
Director, Cyber Security Research Centre (11.3.16–present)*
One of a suite of Australian government research centres bringing together industry, universities, and government
^ Details confirmed by ACT Government
# Dates confirmed by the organisation
* ASIC record (accessed 6.7.20)
Other
Chair, National Youth Science Forum (appointed to board as co-deputy chair, August 2017; appointed Chair, 1.2.20–present*)
Registered charity offering programs for students interested in careers in science. Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest weapons-maker, has been the NYSF’s major partner since 2015. Students visit Lockheed Martin’s labs during NYSF programs.
* Date confirmed NYSF
Previous Positions
Corporate
Director, Australian Sports Technologies Network (1.12.14–11.7.18)*
*ASIC record (accessed 6.7.20) indicates Lundy joined this board several months prior to leaving the Senate
Politics
Senator for the ACT (ALP) (2.3.96–24.3.15)
Ministerial positions (Gillard/Rudd government)
- Minister for Sport (5.3.12–1.7.13)
- Minister for Multicultural Affairs (5.3.12–18.9.13), Parliamentary Secretary, Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (16.2.11–5.3.12) covering settlement services for migrants and refugees
From 2010-2013 other posts included Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation, Minister Assisting for the Digital Economy, and Parliamentary Secretary to the PM.
From 1998-2007, shadow ministerial portfolios included Local Government, Manufacturing and Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, and Sport.
Full record of positions, including committees.
Lundy’s voting record.
Before politics
Member, ACT Trades and Labour Council Executive (1988–1996), including as President (1993–1996)
Related Items
February 2019: WA Defence Review interviews Kate Lundy, as ACT Defence Industry Advocate (10 mins): “As a defence industry advocate I see myself as a connector knowing the right people, the right organisations that your business needs to talk to and communicate with.”
28.2.20: “EOS PROFITS LEAP 194% AS DEFENCE EXPORTS SOAR… In many cases the company is benefiting from sale overseas of technology products that were previously restricted from export by federal government controls. Canberra’s policy of building defence exports is allowing the export of space technologies and offensive weapons systems previously banned.”
Kate Lundy sits on EOS board with former Chief of Army, Peter Leahy, and former Chief of Air Force, Geoff Brown (Brown is also Chair of the ACT Government’s Defence Industry Advisory board)
This profile was compiled with the assistance of a student research intern.
Let us know of any dead links. Thanks. [email protected]
James is studying a bachelor of Communication (Journalism) at the University of Technology Sydney. He is a producer at 2SER radio and contributor at UTS’s Central News.