PM’s Manufacturing Taskforce reports

Non-government members of the Prime Minister's Manufacturing Taskforce, representing business, unions and the research sector, have released their report Smarter Manufacturing for a Smarter Australia, after the group was established in late 2011.

The Taskforce’s objective was to map out a shared vision for the future of Australia's manufacturing sector and help strengthen local firms as they adjust to changes in our economy, including the rise of Asia.

The Report maps out a vision for the future of Australian manufacturing in making more than 40 recommendations, designed to strengthen local firms as they adapt to global economic change.

Of particular note to the biotechnology industry was Recommendation 12, which addresses business tax burden, the R&D Tax Incentive and additional funding for Commercialisation Australia. In support of the R&D Tax Incentive, the Report suggests the Program be monitored in its initial operations and be “ready to remedy and unintended consequences of the dominant purpose rest and feedstock provisions and to reduce any excess compliance burdens.”

Amongst other recommendations of note were:

• Recommendation 11 suggests the Government examine the regulatory arrangements related to medical devices and pharmaceuticals, product approvals and certification in major export markets and interaction of state and Commonwealth laws;
• Recommendation 22 suggests regional innovation hubs based on niche specialisation and local strengths be established and # 35 suggests the expansion of the Researchers in Business Program;
• The foodtech industry should note Recommendation # 26, suggesting a National Food Innovation Precinct and Network be established.

In a joint media release last week, the Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard and the Minister for Innovation and Industry, the Hon Greg Combet, said: “The Government is supportive in principle of most of the report's recommendations.”

“The Gillard Government is committed to ensuring that Australia retains a strong manufacturing industry and will respond to the report's recommendations with an Industry and Innovation Statement in the last quarter of the year.”

The Government will immediately bring together the Industry Capability Network, the Buy Australian at Home and Abroad Supply Advocates, AusIndustry and Enterprise Connect to share information on opportunities for Australian manufacturers in large domestic investment projects, with a particular focus on the resources sector.

The full report can be accessed here.