With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic having significant implications across Australian society – including for individuals and businesses in the manufacturing sector – here is a round-up of this week’s key developments for Australian manufacturing.

  • Industry Minister Karen Andrews has signalled that the Federal Government may take a more active approach in strengthening Australia’s manufacturing base in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. In a radio interview on 12 April, Andrews said: “What the coronavirus has proven to us is that it’s wrong for us to be totally reliant, or even reliant to a whole large extent, on supply chains that bring products from overseas. But the positive thing that’s come out of this is a demonstration that we have a very strong manufacturing base and that they can pivot really quite quickly – they can upscale. Their issue has been, in some cases, getting access to the input materials that they need – so that’s a problem and we need to make sure that we address that as well as making sure that we don’t just retain a strong manufacturing sector – but build it..”
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic will result in the worst recession since the Great Depression in the 1930s, and far worse than the Global Financial Crisis. The IMF projects a contraction in the Australian economy of 6.7% this year. www.blogs.imf.org/2020/04/14/the-great-lockdown-worst-economic-downturn-since-the-great-depression
  • The Federal Government’s JobKeeper Payment scheme was passed by Parliament on 8 April. The scheme is intended to provide wage subsidies to businesses significantly affected by COVID-19. To find out more about the JobKeeper Payment, visit: www.ato.gov.au/general/gen/JobKeeper-payment
  • AMTIL corporate partner William Buck has updated its FAQs on the JobKeeper Payment scheme. The FAQs can be found on William Buck’s extensive COVID-19 Online Resource Centre. Find out more at: www.williambuck.com/faqs-on-jobkeeper-payment-for-employers
  • The Queensland Government has established an online Supply Matching Request Form, to assist QLD manufacturers and businesses that are currently impacted by the coronavirus situation. If you are finding it difficult to obtain vital materials and supplies to remain open, visit: www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/index.php/industry/industry-support-dsd/manufacturer-s-supply-matching-request-form/view/form
  • As Australian manufacturing companies retool to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) in the battle against coronavirus, many may not be aware that health departments and health provider organisations require unique identification, barcoding and product data using GS1 standards. GS1 Australia has made available a range of services to support manufacturers who have taken on the challenge of supplying these critical products, at no charge. Details of the offer and regulatory information can be found here: www.gs1au.org/ppe 
  • The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has welcomed moves by the Federal Government to strengthen the nation’s domestic manufacturing capabilities and shore up supply for the future. The AFGC welcomed the opportunity to work with the government to strengthen global supply chains as well as providing a strong and stable economic environment for domestic manufacturing to grow. www.afgc.org.au/news-and-media/2020/04/afgc-welcomes-moves-to-strengthen-aussie-manufacturing

AMTIL is regularly updating its dedicated Coronavirus page on the AMTIL website, with an extensive listing of the most reliable, authoritative sources of information, advice and support for manufacturers. Access it here: www.amtil.com.au/coronavirus

In addition, several of AMTIL’s Corporate Partners have created dedicated resource pages offering information and advice on various aspects of the crisis:

We are also posting frequent updates on our AMT News pages, as well as to our social media feeds (see the links at the bottom of our website).

The COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve rapidly with new information emerging all the time. AMTIL strongly advises all our members and the wider manufacturing community to monitor events closely, and take the appropriate measures to stay safe.