Tony Walls, founder and chief executive of ASX-listed Objective Corporation, has publicly criticized the Australian Department of Defence for ending a 26-year software contract at the end of June, describing the decision as both disappointing and concerning for national defence. Walls, a prominent figure in Australia’s technology sector, emphasized the importance of sustained support and maintenance capabilities amid increasingly complex defence projects such as AUKUS and the F-35 fighter programs.

Speaking to media, Walls called the termination of the contract “an exceptionally bold and puzzling move,” particularly given the government’s stated commitment to supporting sovereign-owned and engineered defence capabilities. He warned that the resilience of critical defence systems depends on experienced providers with a deep understanding of these technologies and urged caution against assuming unnecessary risks by severing long-standing partnerships.

Objective Corporation, established by Walls in 1987 in Port Kembla, has grown into a major player in the Australian software industry. The company specializes in government-related digital solutions including document safety, planning tools for local governments, and regulatory compliance tracking. Walls notes that long-term government contracts have been central to the firm’s steady growth and stability through various economic downturns and technology shifts.

Despite facing pressure from market dynamics, including the recent “SaaSpocalypse” impacting valuations in the software-as-a-service sector, Walls remains optimistic about the potential of artificial intelligence. He highlighted AI’s capacity to enhance Objective’s product development and deliver increased productivity and insights through curated data, allowing timely access to critical information for Defence and other clients.

Walls, 62, expressed personal investment in the company’s performance, checking its share price regularly as a measure of his team’s success. Objective floated on the Australian Securities Exchange in August 2000 and has since become a $2 billion company under his leadership, achieving growth without issuing new equity or selling shares.

The Defence Department has not publicly responded to Walls’ comments. The contract’s termination comes amid an intensified focus on complex defence projects requiring robust technological support, raising questions about how the government plans to manage these risks going forward.