Launching Boeing’s new R&D arm — Australian Phantom Works — in Canberra Tuesday, Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, said it was a great example of the innovative future the Rudd Government is determined to foster.
“Innovation is critical to securing the future of Australian industry, and R&D is critical to the innovation process,” Senator Carr said.
“Phantom Works shows how the manufacturing sector can pioneer processes, systems and organisational methods that transform the way all sectors do business.”
Senator Carr said that Phantom Works would build on a successful 20 year partnership between Boeing, the CSIRO and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).
“The operation will strengthen the links between local industry, researchers and global supply chains. We know that working with international customers and collaborators helps push Australian firms to new heights of innovation.
“We also know that boosting innovation is the best way to keep Australian industry internationally competitive. It’s a powerful circle — more innovation leads to more export capability and more international exposure leads to more innovation.”
Senator Carr said Phantom Works fostered innovative technologies in-house but also engaged with top government, private and university researchers internationally.
“The Rudd Government believes that the manufacturing sector remains one of our great innovators, having an effect on all sectors,” Senator Carr said.
“Phantom Works is a great example of this, acting as a bridge between Boeing and new research hubs such as the Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation.
“We hope it will lead to more successful collaborations like the one between Boeing’s Hawker de Havilland business and the CRC for Advanced Composite Structures.
“Together they have developed technology for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner that will generate more than $4 billion worth of exports from Hawker de Havilland’s Fisherman’s Bend plant over the life of the program.
“International collaboration, innovation, exports — that’s the future for Australian manufacturing. It is reassuring to know that Boeing — and Phantom Works — are helping us build that future,” Senator Carr said.