Government News

The COVID-19 Response Portal was launched on 23 March to help businesses keep the supply chain wheels turning during the coronavirus pandemic. As well as more than 600 expressions of interest submitted, the site has recorded over 12,900 page views, with more than 600 new suppliers registered on ICN Gateway. COVID-19 has had enormous impacts on not only the health and safety of Australians, but the businesses and supply chains that keep our country running. From the very beginning of the COVID-19 threat, ICN has been monitoring the situation closely and preparing response actions for its subscribers. Through the COVID-19 Response Portal, ICN is assisting governments to identify businesses with transferable technologies to extend their capability, retool and scale up to manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE) and other priority health equipment. “We are working hard to help small businesses become a part of the solution” said Warren Jansen, Executive Director at ICN. ICN provides a vital link between Australian and New Zealand companies and the projects that ensure their…

The Federal Government has announced plans to pass legislation to introduce the JobKeeper payment, intended to provide wage subsidies to businesses significantly affected by COVID-19. Businesses can register their interest at: ato.gov.au/Job-keeper-payment The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has received more than 1,000 responses via its COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register. Established only last week, the Register allows manufacturers to register their interest in helping Australia meet the national challenge of fighting COVID-19. Find out more about the COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register at: amgc.org.au/covid-19-manufacturer-response The Federal Government has announced a range of measures to assist businesses affected by the crisis, including assistance for small businesses regarding cash flow, and measures to support investment. Information on the measures can be found at: australia.gov.au/#information_for_businesses_and_employees The Federal Government has released an official “Coronavirus Australia” app, which can be download from in the Apple App Store or Google Play. Further news, updates and advice from government agencies across Australia can also be…

Queensland State Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the Brisbane-based race car company had been working around the clock for the past two weeks to develop the prototype. “This is what Queensland manufacturing is all about,” said Dick. “Hard work, ingenuity and solving problems. It’s so impressive that, within just a few weeks, this company has transitioned their capability, intellect and resources to a product that could ultimately save lives. “It’s also fantastic to hear that Triple Eight has focused on using readily available, local materials. Triple Eight suspended its usual operation following the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix, and the positive, forward-looking approach of this company has been heartening to see.” Roland Dane, Team Principle of Triple Eight Race Engineering said the prototype was the result of a dedicated engineering team and input from medical professionals, local intensive care unit experts, as well as the Queensland Department of State Development. “We were able to utilise in-house 3D printing services provided by our team partner HP…

The Federal Government and South Australian Government have reached agreement with Detmold Group to produce 145 million masks – 100 million for the National Medical Stockpile and 45 million for South Australia. Over the coming months the company will employ up to an extra 160 staff and will invest more than $1m in local supplies that will support other Australian businesses. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said Detmold is the latest in a line of Aussie companies rising up to the challenge of COVID-19. “This is a fantastic example of how our strong manufacturing base in Australia puts us in a position to be able to make more of the medical supplies we need during the outbreak of this virus,” said Andrews. “We have a sufficient supply of masks at the moment but this work will ensure we sustain that supply over the months ahead. “This new production line won’t be up and running overnight, that’s why we’re attacking this challenge from…

The COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register portal is live now via the AMGC website, with all contact treated in strict confidence. The portal can be accessed here: www.amgc.org.au/covid-19-manufacturer-response The response of Australian businesses and individuals to the current COVID-19 pandemic to-date has been outstanding, with manufacturers shifting focus to how they can support our health and critical manufacturing sectors during this unprecedented event. Australian manufacturers across multiple disciplines have already pivoted or expressed a desire to support in any way possible actions to address the current COVID-19 threat. Examples include: distillers moving to produce hand-sanitisers; automotive manufacturers exploring the design and manufacturer of ventilators; fabricators moving to the supply of medical goods; or current manufacturers responding to increased demand for goods. Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director of AMGC, said: “Australian manufacturers want to assist; however they may be unsure of where to start. By developing this portal, we will be able to gain a clear understanding of the skills, supplies and capabilities that exist right…

Operations at the 13 28 46 Contact Centre will increase from five days per week to seven days per week, and with an additional two hours a day of support outside standard operating hours for the first month, answering calls from 7.00am to 11.00pm AEST. Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said the operations of the Government’s business 13 28 46 contact centre, are being expanded to provide specialist advisers and extended support hours. “The Government is rolling out comprehensive, targeted assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and we want businesses who are looking for information to be supported,” she said. “During these challenging times businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 need readily available access to advice so they can fully understand the assistance available to them and their employees.” Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the move is a practical measure to support businesses during this uncertain time: “Our Government is providing a…

Australia is continuing to closely monitor the ongoing outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19). Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. While the majority of confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported from Mainland China, cases have been reported in many other countries and regions, including Iran, Italy and South Korea. Cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Australia. You can access the latest information on COVID-19 from the Australian Government Department of Health. Currently in Australia, people most at risk of contracting the virus are people who have either been in a high-risk country or region recently, or been in close contact with someone who is a confirmed case of coronavirus. Managing the risks from COVID-19 The model Work…

On 3 December 2019, the Australian Space Agency (ASA) signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Co-operation with defence and space giant Thales, strengthening Australia’s international space connections to create new local jobs. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the agreement was an important step in the Federal Government’s plan to create opportunities for Australian industry and new local jobs in the burgeoning space sector. “Engaging with big international players like Thales will allow Australian businesses, including our advanced manufacturers, to carve out a place in the international space supply chain,” said Andrews. “Space is very much an international game and for Australia to succeed we need to play to our strengths and have our businesses and researchers working co-operatively. This statement is designed to mutually identify key areas of investment as well as potential research, development and commercial opportunities.” The agreement with Thales was the latest in a string of recent announcements by…

AMTIL has been working on putting plans in place for the development of the Export Hub, and these are now starting to build momentum. Phase One – Get ready The first stage of the Export Hub has involved setting up its governance structure, with an advisory committee and financial management system put in place, and the appointment of an Export Hub Manager and Export Hub Coordinator. Industry engagement will be done through four mechanisms: Primes and OEMs will be approached to identify their critical key supply chains and encourage them to work with the Export Hub on aspects as networking, business improvement programs and trade mission activity. Key partner organisations such as the Entrepreneurs’ Programme, the Industry Capability Network, the Australian Rail Authority, and Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) will be invited to suggest relevant companies. AMTIL Members in these supply chains or who wish to access them will be encouraged to be involved. Other companies who find out about the…

Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula congratulated the winners and finalists for their work in continuing to take Victorian businesses to the next level. “The Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards highlight the strength and competitiveness of Victoria’s manufacturing industry and I want to congratulate all our outstanding winners and finalists,” said Minister Pakula. “Our manufacturing industry is one of Victoria’s greatest strengths and successfully exports, invests and contributes to our thriving economy.” Inaugural awards were presented to Air Radiators, named the Leader in Innovative Product Development and Commercialisation, and to Holden Special Vehicles, who received the award for Leader in Global Supply Chain Partnerships. Robert Bosch Australia took out the Leader in Industry 4.0 award and Barker Trailers was awarded the 2019 Leader in Workforce Skills Development. For their excellence in leadership and innovation in the manufacturing industry, Rochelle Avinu from Leica Biosystems was awarded the Woman Manufacturer of the Year award, and Nicholas Orchowski…

Sometimes less is more. The temptation for a Government is to feel that they need to announce a whole series of new tax measures every year. But rarely is this the best way to develop a strong and efficient tax system. Thankfully the 2019/20 Federal Budget hasn’t gone down this path. Rather, the focus has been on targeting specific areas of tax avoidance, in particular through funding the ATO and other regulators. The Black Economy is a recognised issue and one that is being systematically addressed. The Federal Government’s continued support for addressing this issue would be welcomed by the vast majority of taxpayers who are doing the right thing. Funding of the ATO’s Tax Avoidance Taskforce is another effective way for the Government to ensure compliance with the tax system and raise tax revenue. The Taskforce targets the highest value and highest risk taxpayers in the system – multinationals, large corporate, large private groups, trusts and high-wealth individuals. The…

The Australian PMI has been stable or positive (readings above 50 points indicate expansion in activity, with the distance from 50 indicating the strength of the increase) since August 2016 (31 consecutive months), but its trend has suggested slowing growth rates since its recent peak in March 2018. Four of the seven activity indexes indicated expansion or stable conditions in March, with all indexes lower this month compared to February except for finished stocks (up 1.6 points to 46.1). Production (down 5.1 points to 52.8) and employment (down 1.1 points to 56.6) remained in positive territory, while the new orders index was stable (down 2.0 points to 50.0). There was a clear divergence among the six manufacturing sectors in March. Food & beverages (up 1.4 points to 59.0), chemicals (down 0.8 points to 51.3) and textiles, clothing, footwear, paper & printing (up 2.0 points to 57.7) expanded, while machinery & equipment (down 1.7 points to 46.1), metals…

The launch of the Export Hub was announced at an event on 13 March at the headquarters of Volgren in Dandenong, south-east Melbourne. The event was attended by Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews, Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC – a partner organisation in the Export Hub), and Paul Fowler, President of AMTIL. AMTIL will receive $1.5m from the Federal Government’s Small and Medium Enterprise Export Hubs Initiative to run the Export Hub. Export hubs are business networks that help SMEs harness opportunities in international markets, particularly where the Federal Government has signed free-trade agreements – including China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia. Minister Andrews said the funding will boost the economy by helping more businesses to gain access to new and bigger markets, to increase sales, and create more Australian jobs. “The funding for this Hub is integral to helping Australian businesses grow and will ultimately…