Government News

The study will assess the capabilities of the Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF) industrial-scale additive manufacturing process to create structural satellite parts made from a high-performance metal. Titomic’s participation in this joint research project will analyse the various capabilities of both traditional and additive manufacturing methods relative to radiation shielding within satellites. Under the research agreement, Titomic will manufacture high-performance, metal demonstration samples for satellite parts using TKF. The research project may also lead to commercial opportunities for Titomic within the space and defence sectors following the successful validation of the additively manufactured demonstration satellite parts. Titomic’s Managing Director Jeff Lang said: “Titomic is excited to be involved in this RMIT joint research initiative alongside Lockheed Martin, which will provide significant mutual benefit for all involved. As we demonstrate the unique capabilities of TKF for the additive manufacture of satellite structures using high-performance metals and superalloys, we are also enabling exponentially faster production to reduce lead times for the space industry, from months to hours, compared to traditional processes.” Professor Milan…

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the plan on 1 October, which will see around $1.5bn in new funding invested over the next four years in a Modern Manufacturing Strategy to make Australian manufacturers more competitive, resilient and able to scale-up to take on the world. The centrepiece of the Strategy is the $1.3bn Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI), which will see the Government strategically invest in projects across six priority manufacturing sub-sectors, helping manufacturers to scale up and create jobs. Shane Infanti, CEO of AMTIL, was broadly positive about the plan, while stressing that the details to be unveiled in next week’s Budget will be critical. Infanti welcomed a $50m increase to the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund and greater commitments to government procurement and supply chains, while warning that the Strategy’s focus on six National Manufacturing Priorities should not leave other sectors at a disadvantage. “Identifying specific sectors we have a competitive advantage in and supporting these sectors with a robust, long-term plan…

Morrison made the announcement on 1 October in an address to the National Press Club. Under the plan, around $1.5bn in new funding will be invested over the next four years in the Modern Manufacturing Strategy, in a bid to make Australian manufacturers more competitive, resilient and able to scale-up to take on the world. “We make things in Australia. We do it well. We need to keep making things in Australia. And with this strategy, we will,” said Morrison. “The COVID crisis opens a new chapter for Australian manufacturing as a revitalised source of high-wage jobs, valuable exports and national income. “Our Modern Manufacturing Strategy is at the heart of our JobMaker plan. It starts with creating a stable and competitive business environment to grow our all parts of our manufacturing sector, but it does not end there. It will play to Australia’s strengths, improve collaboration and commercialisation, and create a sector that is modern, dynamic and highly skilled. “Through this Strategy, we are…

Kylie Bell, Executive Director Industry – Trade & Investment at NSW Treasury, said a limited number of grants were available, of between $100,000 and $500,000 each. “NSW has seen firsthand the challenges of ramping up supply of PPE when a pandemic strikes, which is why it remains imperative that we have a regular supply within NSW to meet the long-term challenges of COVID-19,” Bell said. “The grants for NSW-based manufacturers will ensure we have enough equipment available to support the needs of our frontline workers, industry and our citizens during uncertain times. “It will also stimulate the domestic manufacturing sector within the state and will support jobs as we deal with the immediate crisis and continue to navigate this new way of life.” Bell said the program would help NSW reduce its dependence on PPE imports and provide security for Australia’s needs into the future. “Increasing domestic production also supports the growing demand for PPE from industry and our citizens who are looking to return…

The request for information builds on the Government’s $333m investment in vaccine, treatment and therapeutic research & development. Total funding in vaccine-related activity since the pandemic started is over $256m, comprising $19m in Australian research funding, $230m for the establishment of the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), and $7.5m for the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Submissions received will be used to determine the extent to which the production and distribution can be supported locally once an effective candidate is found. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said she was confident Australian manufacturers would rise to the challenge. “Australian scientists are at the heart of the global quest for a vaccine and we want to make sure Australian manufacturers can be central to the production once that vaccine is found,” Minister Andrews said. “Australia already has impressive capability when it comes to producing vaccines, which as a Government we are well aware of. This request for information is about identifying more niche manufacturers, including those who…

Under the Stage 4 ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions that came into place last week, physical workplaces are closed for on-site work unless they fall into one of a number of permitted industry categories. All Victorians are required to work from home except where that is not practicable. Some businesses can remain open under restricted rules and ensuring they have a COVID Safe Plan in place. Sole operators can continue if they don’t have contact with the public or with anyone outside their primary household. A full outline of the business directive of workplace closures from the Victorian Government is available here. We understand this may be devastating for many of our clients and their employees who run businesses that are impacted by these changes. The shutdown has initially been announced to last six weeks…

From 11.59pm on Wednesday 5 August, employers who require their staff to attend a work site must issue a worker permit to their employees – this is the employer’s responsibility. Penalties of up to $19,826 (for individuals) and $99,132 (for businesses) will apply to employers who issue worker permits to employees who do not meet the requirements of the worker permit scheme or who otherwise breach the scheme requirements. There will also be on-the-spot fines of up to $1,652 (for individuals) and up to $9,913 (for businesses) for anyone who breaches the scheme requirements. This includes employers, and employees who do not carry their worker permit when travelling to and from work. Employees must carry the worker permit and should carry photo identification when travelling to and from the workplace. A worker permit can be shown electronically to authorities such as a photo, or scanned copy, on a mobile device. Further details, as well as templates for permits, can found at: www.justice.vic.gov.au/permitted-worker-scheme The Permitted Worker Scheme…

The instant asset write-off threshold was initially increased from $30,000 to $150,000 in March, with access expanded to include businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $500m (up from $50m). Under the extended scheme, Australian businesses with annual turnover of less than $500 million will be able to take advantage of the prolonged timeframe to invest in assets to support their business as the economy reopens and Coronavirus health restrictions continue to be eased. The measures are expected to support more than 3.5 million businesses. They are designed to support businesses in sticking with investments they had planned, and to encourage them to bring investment forward to support economic growth over the near term. The instant asset write-off also helps to improve cash flow for businesses by bringing forward tax deductions for eligible expenditure. The threshold applies on a per asset basis, so eligible businesses can immediately write-off multiple assets provided each costs less than $150,000. The extension will also give businesses additional time to acquire and install assets, as they…

The Ai Group’s Australian Performance of Business Index (Australian PBI) fell a further 12.6 points to 27.2 in April – the lowest monthly result in the Australian PBI and the largest single-month drop since the series commenced in 2005. The Australian PBI is a weighted composite of Ai Group’s indexes for Manufacturing, Services and Construction. The news regarding the Australian PBI came on the back of last Friday’s announcement that the Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) dropped by 17.9 points to 35.8 in April. This represented the largest month-to-month fall in the 28-year history of the index as Australian manufacturing contracted at its worst pace since April 2009. amtil.com.au/australian-pmi-march2020-amtil-2 The Safe Work Australia website has been updated to provide a central hub of work health and safety (WHS) guidance and tools to help Australian workplaces manage the health and safety risks posed by COVID-19. The website gives users easy access to guidance that is directly relevant to their…

The sharp spike into positive conditions in March, on the back of the unusual surge in demand for manufactured food and groceries, was more than completely reversed in April. All activity indices plunged, with activity levels now reminiscent of the falls of 2009 during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Manufacturers cited a range of COVID-19 issues in April, with the most prevalent including: no new sales due to shutdowns; major customers cancelling orders; supply chain problems with inter-state freight movements and delays; and increased prices for raw materials. “April 2020 was devastating for Australia’s manufacturers and their employees,” said Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox. “Sales plummeted, new orders fell precipitously, production was culled and employment fell more steeply than at any time since the Australian PMI was first launched in 1992.” All…

The Federal Government has launched a new voluntary coronavirus tracing app, COVIDSafe, that will speed up the process of identifying people who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with coronavirus. For more information on the app, visit: health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), peak industry body for innovation technology (IT), backed the app after receiving a detailed briefing from Government. AIIA CEO Ron Gauci said: “Based on this detailed briefing, and understanding that the app does not track your geo-location and that personal data and cyber security concerns have been designed into the app and through government regulations, the AIIA therefore supports the government tracing app and strongly recommends that all Australians download it.” As Australian manufacturers look for ways to assist with COVID-19 equipment and supply needs, many are facing the regulatory challenges of working in the medical sector for the first time. The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has published a set of FAQs…

Demonstrating the power of Aussie innovation and collaboration, the Federal Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has helped facilitate the partnership between Stryker South Pacific and A.H Beard, AmTek Australia, Fallshaw Wheels & Castors, and Varley Group. Registered for use with the Australian Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) standards, the Emergency Relief Bed has been designed to accommodate patients in respiratory distress and provides critical surge capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said within six days Stryker South Pacific, in partnership with AMGC, mapped a local supply chain to adapt the design, create prototypes and begin production of the Emergency Relief Bed in Australia. “This rapid response is an incredible feat and shows how Aussie companies are quickly working together in the face of this unprecedented pandemic,” Minister Andrews said. “The fact that these beds can be manufactured from readily available components, shipped and stored as flat-packs and then assembled on-site with hand tools demonstrates…

Through the Business Portal you can apply for certain government assistance programs, lodge activity statements and pay super guarantee through the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH). The ATO’s Chief Digital Officer John Dardo says the ATO is here to help those needing to set up a myGovID quickly. “In the past week we’ve seen over 800,000 ABNs logging into ATO portals,” said Dardo. “We have also seen over 120,000 ABNs setting up their myGovID to enable them to have online access. We expect to see similar enrolments in the coming week. “If you need to use the ATO Business Portal and you don’t have a myGovID yet don’t worry. Just download the myGovID app and follow the steps. Over 80% of people can set it up without any assistance. If you get stuck, we have instructions and videos on the web and our call centres are able to help.” myGovID is an app you download to your smart device to prove…