government

The government has announced a skills reform plan that it claims will ensure Australia’s national vocational education and training (VET) system is better equipped to deliver skills to workers in a “rapidly changing economy”.

Companies performing large mining, construction and infrastructure projects will now have to report to the government every six months what plans they have put in place to use Australian products.

Holden Australia will build two new ‘world-class’, ‘fuel-saving’ cars at its Elizabeth, South Australia plant in the second half of this decade, after receiving $275 million from the government.

Australian medical devices company ResMed has spoken out against the rumoured cuts to the R&D tax incentive.

CSIRO is set release its latest findings to the Government on carbon dioxide capture technology following a four year $21 million research program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Australian coal-fired power stations.

The Federal, South Australian and Victorian Governments have announced a $275 million co-investment that will help keep GM Holden’s car making operations in Australia.

The Australian Government’s export credit agency, Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) has entered into an agreement with online foreign exchange company OzForex to help eligible Australian SMEs better manage their exposure to volatile currency markets.

OneSteel will close its Kembla Grange Oil and Gas Pipe (OGP) manufacturing business on 31 May 2012, in an effort to cut costs in its steel processing business.

EFIC (Export Finance and Insurance Corporation) has extended a participation agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to include Vietnam, making it easier for companies in the emerging economy to import Australian-made products.

While some Australian manufacturers are riding the present mining industry wave, many are missing out. However that could soon change with more transparent participation rates.