SHADOW Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, formally launched ‘Advanced Manufacturing Australia’ (AMAus) — the renamed Tooling Australia — at its annual dinner in Sydney last Sunday night.
Tooling Australia has been the peak representative body for the Australian Tooling Industry since 1995.
The Australian tooling industry employs over 5000 highly skilled people and provides earnings of over $1 billion to the Australian economy.
The tooling industry is a key driver of technology development and productivity growth in broader Australian and global manufacturing industries.
The party said the decision to rename to the industry organisation Advanced Manufacturing Australia reflects its rapidly changing membership base, underscoring the dynamic nature of the tooling industry and advanced manufacturing both nationally and internationally.
It was also stated, like AMAus, Federal Labor has recognised the rapidly changing nature of Australian manufacturing and that Federal Labor believes that innovation policy is industry policy for the 21st century and requires strong national leadership.
Labor announced it will provide new leadership to foster a fresh and vibrant culture of innovation.
The Party says a Rudd Labor Government will build a strong national innovation system and work with manufacturers to help the sector grow with initiatives such as:
- $2 Billion Green Car Partnership: to secure jobs and tackle climate change by supporting innovation in vehicle technology which reduces emissions;
- $100 million Manufacturing Network: to help small and medium manufacturers become more productive by establishing a network of manufacturing centers; and
- A federal department to provide innovation leadership: by bringing together the key policy areas of innovation, industry, science and research.