Drive begins for manufacturing roadmap

Published Wednesday, 24 February, 2016 at 03:06 PM

Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
The Honourable Dr Anthony Lynham

Queensland’s manufacturers are being invited to shape a 10-year State Government roadmap to help them thrive and take on the world.

State Development Minister and Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham today released a discussion paper to inform a 10-year roadmap and action plan for advanced manufacturing, the state’s third biggest employer.

Dr Lynham said the government wanted Queensland manufacturing companies to grow and generate high-value, highly-skilled jobs.

“Our manufacturing sector contributed more than $20 billion to our economy in 2014-15. It’s our third largest employer of full-time workers and that’s expected to increase in the medium term,” he said.

“The future I want to see is traditional manufacturers transitioning to advanced manufacturing, accessing new supply chains and capitalising on changing markets and export opportunities.

“This discussion paper will fuel the 10-year roadmap and action plan that will lead us there.”

The discussion paper released today identifies the opportunities for Queensland’s manufacturing sector, including outbidding cheaper, imported products and taking advantage of export opportunities in fields like medical instruments and pharmaceutical products.

The paper also identifies the challenges, including an ageing workforce, the strong emerging competition from China and Queensland’s high proportion of small companies.

Dr Lynham said the government’s Industry and Manufacturing Advisory Group (IMAG) had already provided expert input to the discussion paper.

“Establishing the IMAG with high level representation from industry, government and unions is an election commitment that is already contributing to advancing Queensland,” he said.

“The IMAG will continue to guide the roadmap and action plan, including reviewing them at its next meeting in May.”

Consultation on the discussion paper runs until 24 March.

The roadmap is one of a number of industry roadmaps to be developed as part of the $180 million Advance Queensland initiative.

Download the discussion paper.