The McGowan Government has launched another initiative encouraging industry to be part of Western Australia’s COVID-19 recovery by releasing a Problem and Opportunity Statement to secure manufacturing of healthcare personal protective equipment (PPE).
Problem and Opportunity Statements are part of the Market-led Proposals program which harnesses ideas from the private sector to help stimulate the economy and create jobs for Western Australians.
With healthcare PPE supplies at the forefront of WA’s ongoing preparation for any potential increase in COVID-19 cases, the McGowan Government is encouraging innovative solutions for healthcare manufacturers to establish a long-term, local manufacturing presence in Western Australia.
As part of this, the State Government is seeking to guarantee first access to locally manufactured PPE to meet potential surges in demand.
Targeted items include:
- Reusable facemasks;
- Anti-fog face shields;
- Examination and surgical gloves;
- Isolation and surgical gowns;
- N95 and surgical masks;
- Safety glasses; and
- Swabs and collection tubes.
The Problem and Opportunity Statement initiative is one of the key ways in which the McGowan Government is working to bring more local manufacturing back to Western Australia, as part of the WA Recovery Plan.
The WA Recovery Plan included a $92.4 million package of local manufacturing initiatives to create a pipeline of WA jobs that will help Western Australia to become more self-sufficient and rebound from COVID-19 stronger than ever.
Already the McGowan Government has announced a $3.5 million investment in Local Capability Fund rounds to boost local manufacture of personal protective equipment for Australia’s COVID response.
This Problem and Opportunity Statement follows the recent $10 million package to boost Western Australian businesses impacted by COVID-19 and increase the supply of locally made PPE.
For more information, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-finance/market-led-proposals
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“One of the key priorities of my Government is to boost local manufacturing opportunities and create a pipeline of work for Western Australians as we recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
“Problem and Opportunity Statements are a key part of the Market-led Proposal initiative, providing streamlined processes to bring government and industry together more quickly and efficiently with innovative proposals to stimulate the economy.
“It is vital we are able to harness good ideas and promote private sector investment. This helps give local businesses confidence to establish themselves, make local products and ensures jobs are kept in WA.
“We have a strong commitment to helping industry and business succeed through a clear, consistent and transparent process.”
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“Protecting Western Australia’s health care workers and the wider community remains critically important in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are inviting reputable or proven healthcare manufacturers to be a part of the WA health system response – now and in the future.
“The McGowan Government and WA health system has worked tirelessly over the past six months to secure much-needed PPE. This Problem and Opportunity Statement provides an opportunity to secure long-term supplies of PPE while also supporting the economic recovery in Western Australia.
“Boosting local reusable mask production will also be critical for ensuring that the public can access masks in WA from local manufacturers.”
