An exciting new chapter in AMTIL’s strategic evolution, a Policy & Government Affairs Branch has been launched to raise the voice of the advanced manufacturing industry under the leadership of Director Karen Parr.

AMTIL is pleased to announce the establishment of a dedicated Policy & Government Affairs Branch. This new function reflects a significant investment in establishing and strengthening the voice of Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector, and increasing engagement with governments on the issues that matter most to industry.

Leading the new branch is Karen Parr, who has been appointed as AMTIL’s Director, Policy & Government Affairs. With almost 20 years’ experience in policy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement, Parr will lead AMTIL’s policy agenda, and will work closely with members, government and industry to champion manufacturing priorities.

As the sector navigates economic, technological and workforce challenges, this new branch reinforces AMTIL’s long-term commitment to ensuring that members have a stronger voice in shaping the future of Australian manufacturing and related technology.

To ensure AMTIL’s advocacy agenda continues to address the issues that matter most to industry, a range of new initiatives will be introduced as part of the organisation’s new strategic plan. These initiatives will strengthen AMTIL’s ability to provide a unified, nationally recognised voice for Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector.

AMTIL is committed to evidence-based advocacy, ensuring that its policy positions are informed by member experiences, industry data, research, market insights and robust economic analysis. By representing the collective interests of members and the broader manufacturing technology sector, your active engagement will be key to AMTIL’s advocacy efforts in ‘moving the dial’ to help demonstrate the sector’s economic and social contribution, and to strengthen its influence with governments as the trusted voice of Australian advanced manufacturing.

AMTIL’s role as the peak national industry body that represents the interests of manufacturing technology ecosystems – encompassing precision engineering, robotics and digital systems, additive, and subtractive and advanced manufacturing – makes it unique.

Since its establishment in 1999, AMTIL has engaged in a range of initiatives aimed at supporting and promoting the industry in Australia. Historically evolving from foundations in machine tools and the sheet metal industry, today’s opportunity in manufacturing is evolving and broader.

AMTIL’s principal activities to promote the manufacturing technology industry in Australia are to provide industry resources, services and platforms; and to proactively and reactively represent the industry as a collective in a way that individual companies cannot.

AMTIL’s latest five-year Strategic Plan identifies strategies that will enable us to provide a unique value proposition to our members, and together support development of the broader industry. These strategies will serve a maturing organisation and build our service offering, maximise value, and ensure long-term sustainability for the industry.

Our vision for 2030 is for AMTIL to be known nationally as the premier peak body for manufacturing technology in Australia. Membership has doubled, with a healthy mix of both suppliers and users actively engaged in shaping the industry’s future. AMTIL is routinely invited to co-create policy at both state and federal levels, and is seen as a go-to voice by media and governments alike.

Our reputation reflects a deep understanding of the sector’s composition, challenges and potential. The AMTIL of 2030 is agile, respected, data-driven, member-focused, and a critical catalyst for growth in Australia’s industrial capability.

AMTIL is the only national peak industry body dedicated to manufacturing technology and precision manufacturing. There are many other organisations in the ecosystem that have crossover or aligned interests that are relevant to AMTIL’s point of view. Many are state-based and/or have small areas of alignment. It is AMTIL’s philosophy to partner where it makes sense, and to support – and not duplicate – the work of others.

Establishing the Policy Branch was the first step and will oversee key initiatives. These are:

• Know our sector better than anyone else with research and reports.
• Develop clear, data-backed policy platforms, and select key impactful issues for advocacy and campaigning – and know them thoroughly.
• Engage the membership in policy development through workshops and consultations, ensuring that advocacy efforts reflect real needs and priorities.
• Become the trusted voice in national industry conversations and seek collaborative opportunities where interests align.
• Advocate to governments, ministers and associated departments related to critical issues. Share industry information and participate in government submissions, roundtables, and policy consultations.

The new Policy & Government Affairs Branch can be contacted via policy@amtil.com.au