Government News

Federal Industry minister Tim Ayres has announced up to $600 million will be invested over three years to sustain Glencore’s Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townsville Refinery in Queensland, while work on an $80 million investment program to upgrade the Nyrstar’s Port Pirie multi-metals facility in South Australia has also begun. Funded jointly by the Australian and Queensland Governments, the Mount Isa and Townsville package will see three tranches of $200 million delivered over the next three years – dependent on facility owner Glencore completing a transformation study focusing on driving sustainable and long-term industrial capability in Mount Isa. “It will evaluate the end-to-end copper value chain in the region and seek to understand the long-term opportunity for the facilities, industry and Mount Isa workers beyond the support period, positioning the region for a more diverse and resilient future,” a joint government announcement says. Governments have identified maintaining Australia’s domestic metals processing capability as “fundamental” to Australian economic resilience, and the Mount Isa Copper Smelter provides…

There’s no shortage of innovators in Australian manufacturing – but industry collaboration is the key to driving those innovations forward. That was the consensus of a panel discussion held at Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions’ (BAMS) campus in Clayton, Melbourne. Held in commemoration of the company’s 70 years of manufacturing innovation in Australia, the company brought together business leaders for a panel discussion: “The Ecosystem of Success: Fostering Innovation and Collaboration for Australian Global Competitiveness.” Among them was David McLaughlin, the co-founder of bodd – a full body 3D scanner machine that captures rich biometric data across the entire human body, with applications in health and wellness. The company originally planned to use the scanner for 3D printing life-size replicas of individuals for custom clothing. “That was an idea we had. It was an example of a willingness to try, put it into market, test it, and then basically say ‘You know what? This is not the product. The product is actually our scanner.’” Once the company reached that conclusion, bodd turned to BAMS to manufacture, distribute and…

Liquid Instruments, Micro-X and Evosonic are among the most recent recipients of grants under the Federal Government’s Industry Growth Program. Grants worth a combined $17.1 million have been awarded to 12 start-ups and small to medium enterprises in the latest round of the Federal Government’s Industry Growth Program (IGP). Managed by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the IGP offers matched grant funding to help businesses commercialise new products, processes and services in priority areas for National Reconstruction Fund and also helps to build manufacturing capability. The latest grants announced in late September include: · $4.4 million for South Australia-based Micro-X to help it conduct a trial of its light-weight Head CT imaging device being fitted to an ambulance – in order to provide stroke imaging on the spot. The funds will support manufacture of a prototype and its fitout into a South Australian Ambulance Service vehicle, as well as the trial and data generation for regulatory approval. · $4.9 million for Liquid Instruments to help it finalise development and pilot manufacturing in Australia of its software-defined test and measuring device Moku:RF. · $2.9 million to Relectrify Holdings for development and commercialisation of its CellSwitch cell-level control battery storage…

Manufacturing Hubs to provide capability and workforce programs under new plan The Queensland Government has released a five-year plan to drive productivity and innovation in the state’s manufacturing sector and expand access to global markets. The Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy 2025-30 proposes frameworks to cut red tape, grow Queensland’s export pathways, build more resilient local supply chains and support workforce upskilling, the state government says. Queensland Minister for Manufacturing Dale Last said the strategy marks a turning point for the industry, which is Queensland’s fifth largest. “Manufacturing already adds $29 billion to our economy and supports 175,000 jobs, including 83,000 in regional Queensland. With the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy and a Government that backs the sector, those numbers will only grow.,” he says “It will drive growth across our traditional strengths like medical, food and beverage and metals manufacturing, while developing Queensland’s capabilities across emerging industries like critical minerals processing.” The strategy was developed in collaboration with the recently-established Queensland Manufacturing Council, providing a panel of manufacturing leaders to offer advice on new government initiatives. Included in the strategy is a commitment to help connect export-ready businesses to international buyers and investors and to attract international talent and skills to…

James Hardie Australia is proud to mark Australian Made Week by celebrating its partnership with Australian Made, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to Australian manufacturing, innovation, and community development. Today, with more than 450 employees across local manufacturing, operations, research and development, James Hardie champions Aussie ingenuity from its facilities in Rosehill, New South Wales, and Carole Park, Queensland. “Our vision is to inspire how communities design, build, and grow today and tomorrow,” said John Arneil, President of James Hardie Asia-Pacific. “Our partnership with Australian Made is a symbol of our commitment to local manufacturing and product innovation. We’re proud to help create jobs, grow local capability, and build stronger communities - right here at home.” “No one understands Australian homes better than Australian manufacturers. By producing locally, we deliver products engineered specifically for our climate and building standards. Our investment in Australian manufacturing is a commitment to supporting local jobs and the communities we serve.” To help deliver on its purpose to build a better future for all, James Hardie had its range of fibre cement products certified…

Whatever we did is working. I cannot fault the stallholders' passion and enthusiasm at AMW2025. Everyone wants to be here because they know what they will gather in the end—connections, sales, and renewed, happy business relationships. Also, walking along through the crowds, I find a couple of visitors staring intensely at a screen displaying work being done by an OKUMA robotic machine. They know what they’re looking at. They understand the detail and that’s the difference in crowds between this year and the last time AMW was in Melbourne in 2023. The crowd has a more professional flavour. A few measures were put in place this year for registrations, and I think it focused the visitors. Perhaps the fact that the Federal Election was so last weekend (feels like a month ago, right?), so people are now thinking longer term. They know they can plan out til the end of next year and beyond. All day yesterday, today and Thursday, the ever-popular Future Solutions Speaker program continues to roll out intense presentations in the…

High-efficiency diode lasers from Laserline look set to become pivotal for the nascent local battery industry as industry realises incentives under the government’s Future Made in Australia Act and National Battery Strategy. Economical, modular, high-power diode lasers from Laserline are setting new standards for efficiency in surface heat treatments, which are crucial to numerous manufacturing processes. These include hardening, curing powder coatings, and drying offset colours, as well as drying fuel cells and battery foils. Drying electrodes for lithium-ion batteries is the most expensive step in their production, incurring about 20% of the cost. Therefore, the latest efficiencies of laser drying could revolutionise battery production and other surface heat treatments. Laserline’s new OTX range of optics and high-efficiency diode lasers create extra-wide beams of 1.5 metres or more, ideal for heat-treating large surfaces required for electrode drying in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries. Dr Cedric Chaminade, Technical Director and physicist at Raymax Applications, which distributes Laserline’s diode lasers, says Raymax is excited to supply this technology to Australasia, where governments are backing manufacturing innovations toward clean energy and…

The wait is almost over! It's not too late to register and gather all your key exhibitors, stands, people, and attractions. Registrations are open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2025), held at the MCEC in Melbourne. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2025 will occupy more than 12,000 square metres of exhibition space at the MCEC, with over 400 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. That's just about the whole venue. This is going to be huge! If you haven’t done so already, REGISTER NOW online to visit Australian Manufacturing Week in Melbourne and plan your days on the My Show Planner. After registering to visit AMW2025, you can log in and tap through to My Show Planner. The My Show Planner online tool has everything you need to make the most of your time at AMW2025 in Melbourne. My Show Planner is the AMW2025 visitors-side view of Map Your Show. You can connect with Exhibitors online, set up appointments and plan…

If you’ve been under a rock lately, you won’t know that the USA has imposed a minimum 10% tariff on all Australian exports. While this is a disappointing development for Australia, its manufacturing sector, and its producers, it is a stark reminder of the importance of championing and supporting Australia’s sovereign manufacturing and growing capability. “It’s never been more important to support our Aussie manufacturers, growers, and primary producers,” said Australian Made Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro. “These sectors have faced numerous challenges recently, becoming more challenging for some. More than 90% of Australians prefer Australian-made products, so let’s turn that preference into purchases.” AMCL has also welcomed the government’s recently announced policy measures to address the tariffs, including strengthening Australia’s anti-dumping regime and financial support for exporters to access new markets. These measures, combined with the government’s commitment to support Aussie manufacturers with its ‘Buy Aussie’ policy for government procurement and contracts, provide some positivity in the wake of these challenging international trade barriers. “A strategic approach to ‘buy local’ initiatives, incorporating consumers, businesses…

As organisers of Australian Manufacturing Week, 6-9 May, AMTIL proudly announces a collaboration among government entities and leading manufacturers to promote Australian manufacturing, particularly in the Advanced Manufacturing and Precision Technology sectors. REGISTER NOW! The Victorian Government is leading the charge, supporting AMW2025 as a Major Sponsor of the Future Solutions Speaker Program which will take place from 6 to 8 May at AMW2025. The Queensland Government is sponsoring the AMW VIP Breakfast, and the NSW Government is sponsoring the Additive Manufacturing Zone. Three C Financial is sponsoring the Machine Tool Zone, Smenco will sponsor the Robotics and Automation Solutions, and PFM Works is sponsoring the Manufacturing Solutions Zone. Kraftech is the lanyard sponsor, OKUMA Australia is sponsoring the showbags and this newsletter is sponsored by the Australian Made Campaign. Kraftech and the Australian Made Campaign returning as sponsors only reiterates their trust and belief in what AMTIL and the AMW trade show is achieving for Australian Manufacturing. AMTIL is very thankful for this support, as it would be near impossible to bring this endeavour to its successful fruition without…

Western Australian businesses seeking to participate in the local wind energy manufacturing supply chain can apply for co-investment, which can cover up to 50% of eligible project costs, under the Wind Energy Manufacturing Co-Investment Program. The funds will be made available through a co-investment and advice program co-created by the WA Government and AMGC, with $8m allocated by the WA Government under the initiative to enhance local businesses' capacity and capability in wind energy, manufacturing and servicing supply chains. Priority areas include manufacturing wind tower foundations, anchor cages, nacelle components and assembly, transmission poles, specialised trailers (transport), capacity building for replacement parts and servicing and refurbishing centres. “The Wind Energy Manufacturing Co-Investment Program is a testament to our commitment to creating a sustainable future for Western Australia,” said WA Science Minister Stephen Dawson. “Supporting local businesses to engage in the wind energy supply chains positions the state to reap the benefits of the energy transition while supporting our economic diversification. “Whether it’s helping new businesses to upgrade their accreditations or assisting companies to pivot or scale…

US President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on all steel imports on Sunday as he flew to New Orleans on Air Force One. As an afterthought, when asked about aluminium, he responded, “aluminium, too.” While there are ways to interpret the differences between what he is ‘poised to announce’ and what he says, any move that goes ahead would be bad for Australia. If the move goes ahead, it will likely harm Australia. According to the UN's COMTRADE database, the US imported about $638m of Australian steel and $439m of aluminium last year. Trump also reaffirmed that he would announce “reciprocal tariffs” —”probably Tuesday or Wednesday”—meaning the US will impose import duties on products when another country levies duties on American goods. The Australian stock market opened with a slump after the announcement. President Trump said he would formally announce the fresh trade war slug on Monday and that the taxes would hit “everybody,” suggesting Australia will not be exempt from the new trade war slug. "A tariff on Australian goods, despite us having a long-standing free trade agreement with…

Quantum researchers from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have demonstrated that quantum computing can significantly improve the way we solve complex problems involving large datasets. They have highlighted the potential of using quantum in areas such as real-time traffic management, agricultural monitoring, healthcare, and energy optimisation. By leveraging quantum computing's unique properties, like superposition and entanglement, researchers compressed and analysed a large dataset with speed, accuracy, and efficiency that traditional computers cannot match. Unlike regular binary computer bits that are either ‘on’ or ‘off,’ quantum bits (qubits) can exist in multiple states at once, allowing quantum computers to process many possibilities simultaneously. Dr Muhammad Usman, a CSIRO quantum scientist and the senior author of the study, said the research team demonstrated that quantum machine learning can simplify large sets of data without sacrificing important details. “With the global volume of data doubling every few years, quantum computing’s ability to handle this complexity will become increasingly valuable,” Dr Usman said. “Our work focused on groundwater monitoring as a case study, but quantum machine learning has broad applications in any field requiring fast, detailed…