Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries
The new Tasmanian Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan 2024 has been released today to support our manufacturers to remain competitive and grow through innovation.
Taking into the account the impacts of COVID-19 and funded by a $400,000 investment in the 2020-21 State Budget, the Plan sets out the priorities and actions for government that will guide our State’s manufacturing future.
It was developed in consultation with the manufacturing industry, which as one of the largest industries in Tasmania, plays a critical role in our economy with a turnover of $7.3 billion in 2018-19.
Importantly, the sector employs 18,000 people directly and an estimated 31,4000 non-manufacturing jobs through the supply chain. The flow on impacts were estimated to be $3.2 billion in 2018-19.
It was great to visit William Adams Pty Ltd today to see firsthand a local business building a world leading niche manufacturing capability, supplying products and services across Australia and beyond, such as specialist equipment for the Australian Antarctic Division.
We recognise that the manufacturing industry is changing rapidly, with new technologies, increased connectivity, the expansion of the role of robotics and product innovation having an impact.
That’s why it’s so important we chart a four year plan for the industry, which will be reviewed after its first two years of operation to ensure that it remains relevant to industry needs.
The plan highlights four priority areas for action:
1.The development and attraction of a highly skilled workforce;
2.Supporting the adoption of leading edge design, innovation, technologies and practices to deliver growth and improved business capability;
3.Supporting increased collaboration and advocacy for the sector; and
4.Supporting greater market identification and access, and industry promotion.
One of the first actions under the Plan will be for the Tasmanian Government to join the Industry Capability Network, which will enable the government to support businesses to identify and individually or collectively tender for opportunities across Australia and New Zealand.
The 2020-21 State Budget is a budget for our times: creating the jobs, and providing the certainty and confidence our community needs.
