Business leaders, academics and senior public servants will
join forces to develop a blueprint for the future direction of the South
Australian economy.
Adelaidenow reports that, to this end, a series of workshops
will be held over the next month. To be held at Government House and The
Science Exchange, the sessions will cover areas such as venture capital and
funding; red tape reform; trade; infrastructure; migration and skills; innovation;
leadership; and action planning.
The program is backed by Governor Kevin Scarce and Economic
Development Board chairman Raymond Spencer; and the forums will be co-ordinated
by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia and financial
consultants KPMG.
The aim of the workshops is to come up with a blueprint for
the future which will be delivered to businesses and the government via the
Economic Development Board.
The death of Australia’s car manufacturing industry, and
particularly Holden’s planned closure of its Elizabeth plant is expected to hit the South Australian economy hard.
In fact, while Victoria has two thirds of the nation’s car
manufacturing workers, the impact will be felt harder in South Australia.
There will be $155million of government assistance available
to industry nation-wide to deal with the transition.
From this package, $45m has been earmarked for jobs support,
training and advice; $20m will be used to help supply chain firms diversify;
$60m will be spent on fast-tracking private sector investment in non-automotive
manufacturing; and $30m will be spent on supporting further non-manufacturing
opportunities in the affected communities.