Sharon

F e d e r a l

M e m b e r

Stephen
F e d e r a l
N

Bird

f o r

C u n n i n g h a m

Jones

M e m b e r
S

MP

f o r
E

MP
T h r o s b y
E

Illawarra Manufacturing Expo all the more important

The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, will
visit Wollongong on 30 August to launch an Illawarra Manufacturing Expo being
convened by Federal Illawarra Labor MPs, Sharon Bird and Stephen Jones.
Given the specific challenges of the manufacturing industry flowing from a high
Australian dollar and the BlueScope Steel announcement yesterday, we want to
bring together a range of Commonwealth Government agencies which are available
to provide high-level services and advice to manufacturing businesses in the region.
There is also an opportunity for the University of Wollongong and the regional
manufacturing sector to establish a growing partnership to develop new ideas and
innovations, which will create new business opportunities.
The Commonwealth Government has already been investing to secure the future of
the regional manufacturing sector by building the $43.8 million Australian Institute of
Innovative Materials Processes, the $25 million Sustainable Buildings Research
Centre and the roll-out of the National Broadband Network, Ms Bird said.
Stephen Jones said, The Illawarra Manufacturing Expo which we are convening
provides a one-stop shop for regional manufacturers to come into direct contact with
the range of Commonwealth Government agencies operating right now to help with
accessing government programs and funding assistance.
While there is some pessimism at the moment, the challenges the manufacturing
sector faces are due to conditions outside of the influence of the Commonwealth
Government, including the high Australian dollar and higher input costs.
But the future of the regional manufacturing sector lies in new high-value niche
markets, innovative ideas and processing, and partnerships with the University of
Wollongong.

Both Ms Bird and Mr Jones decided to convene the Illawarra Manufacturing Expo
after meetings with local manufacturers over recent weeks highlighted a problem
with their awareness of Commonwealth Government programs that are available to
the sector.
The Illawarra Manufacturing Expo will be held on Tuesday, 30 August 2011, at the
Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, on the University of Wollongongs
Innovation Campus.
The Commonwealth Government Agencies to be part of the Illawarra Manufacturing
Expo includes:
-

Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
Enterprise Connect
AusIndustry
AusTrade
Industry Capability Network
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local
Government.

Ms Bird and Mr Jones initiative has the support of the Australian Industry Group
(AiG), the University of Wollongong and Enterprise Connect.
23 August 2011

Contact:
Sharon Bird MP
Stephen Jones MP

6277 4717
6277 4661