A new 12-person Ministerial advisory committee has officially kickstarted its work using industry expertise to drive Queensland’s manufacturing sector.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick hosted the first meeting of the Manufacturing Ministerial Committee in recent days to craft the policies and programs to help the sector thrive and create jobs for Queenslanders.
“The Palaszczuk Government is driving manufacturing in Queensland with a strong focus on growing the sector,” he said.
“But we also know nobody knows manufacturing better than manufacturers themselves, and we want to harness their input to expand that focus as we enter this period of optimism and opportunity for manufacturing in our state.
“The industry already employs around 165,000 people or 7 per cent of the state’s workforce, making it the sixth largest employing industry in our state, and we know it contributes $19.2 billion a year to the Queensland economy.
“A thriving manufacturing sector will help Queensland realise its vision for a diverse economy, underpinned by skilled, knowledge-based jobs.”
“Our new Manufacturing Ministerial Committee will have a strong focus on regional Queensland and boosting skills to ensure future development of the sector and features a membership which reflects the state’s diverse manufacturing industry, from niche small manufacturers to multinationals.
“Our government has taken steps to create an expanded committee specifically to ensure it includes greater representation from regional Queensland, not to mention also featuring an equal number of women and men.
“Following the successful Women in Manufacturing series across the state, this is another step we’re taking to ensure women are well-represented in this industry,” he said.
“It’s well known that diverse groups are more innovative, adaptable and forward-thinking, which is everything the MMC needs to be.”
Committee Member Christine Bridges-Taylor from B&R Enclosures says the committee will support the state's diverse manufacturing industry with a focus on innovation, business transformation and workforce development to build local supply chain capability.
Committee Member Shane Rodgers, Queensland State Director, Australian Industry Group, said the committee will address challenges facing the industry and strengthen the policy agenda to support manufacturing in Queensland.
Committee Member John McLean, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks said working closely with the state government is a fantastic opportunity to establish innovative ideas which will enable manufacturing businesses to expand and be more competitive internationally.
The Manufacturing Ministerial Committee supersedes and expands upon the Industry and Manufacturing Advisory Group, established in November 2015.
“I’m grateful to the Industry and Manufacturing Advisory Group and its members for the vital service it has already performed,” Mr Dick said.
“This is the group that supported the development and early implementation of the Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, that has already done a great deal for our manufacturing industry.
“We look forward to continuing to deliver key Government programs with the new committee during this exciting time for manufacturing in Queensland.”
