In a column for AMTIL the minister for Industry, Energy and Emission Reductions, Angus Taylor, has highlighted the importance of pre- and post-production roles in the manufacturing process and the rapid global transformation the industry is experiencing.
The minister acknowledged that new technologies and production methods are becoming more focused on bespoke, higher value, advanced manufacturing. This means that design and service delivery have become just as important as the production process.
“The government’s vision is for Australia to be recognised as a high-quality, skilled and sustainable manufacturing nation that supports a modern and resilient economy,” Taylor wrote for AMTIL.
“The ability to make things here, and do it well, will drive investment and innovation, grow our exports and create new jobs, including critical high-skilled jobs.”
This has been catalysed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as Australian manufacturers have needed to become more agile to remain in operation. The most recent challenges have been related to pressure on workforces and supply chains.
Taylor assured Australian manufacturers of the government’s ongoing support in this test of resilience.
“Since the announcement of the $1.5bn Modern Manufacturing Strategy in October 2020, the government has been supporting Australian manufacturers to scale up, innovate and access new markets,” he wrote for AMTIL.
“As at 15 December 2021, the Strategy has delivered over $309m to fund 176 Australian manufacturing projects across the National Manufacturing Priorities of Space; Medical Products; Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing; Food and Beverage; Defence and Recycling and Clean Energy Combined, these projects are valued at $906m which will drive new manufacturing activity, investment and create jobs.”
Taylor named successful grant recipients such as Noumed Pharmaceuticals, Sabrini Foods, Pact Group and Hofmann Engineering.
Another show of support from the government was demonstrated in their MMI Collaboration Stream and Supply Chain Resilience Initiative which launched in June 2021.
As the largest component of the MMI with $800m available to support large-scale manufacturing projects that increase collaboration, the Collaboration stream can co-fund up to one third of eligible project costs. To help Australia better respond to future supply chains disruptions, the $107.2m Supply Chain Resilience Initiative aims to strengthen access to critical inputs and products.
Under Round One of the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, 26 projects in medicines and agricultural production chemicals will share in $33m of funding. One of these is projects includes Baxter Healthcare, an IV fluid manufacturer. Round Two of the Initiative opened in December 2021 and will support the critical areas of semiconductors and water treatment chemicals.
Meanwhile, Round Two of the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund (MMF) awarded 84 Australian businesses with $55m to develop new technologies and create new high-skilled jobs. This benefitted SMEs, as did the $30m Commercialisation Fund provided through the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre.
“We will continue to work closely with industry to position Australia as a globally recognised, high-quality, competitive and sustainable manufacturing nation,” Taylor wrote in the column.
“COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of strengthening our sovereign manufacturing capabilities and securing reliable supply chains. The government is providing the framework to enable this. Our policies and targeted investments are helping ensure Australia’s essential needs continue to be met. They are also supporting our manufacturers to innovate, adapt and grow. Our manufacturers are leading the way, transforming the economy and putting Australia at the forefront of modern manufacturing nations.”
To view the full AMTIL column, click here.