Mark Baker (Braddon, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to acknowledge the Australian government’s support to Australian industry. Australian industry received budgetary and taxation assistance totalling some $4.6 billion, of which $1.8 billion was for the manufacturing sector. In 2007, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry released The future of Australia’s manufacturing sector: a blueprint for success. This report called for assistance in the areas of taxation, industrial relations, skills, investment in infrastructure, productivity, research and development and the regulatory environment. In May 2007, the Australian government did just that with its $1.4 billion industry statement. It delivered additional assistance in the key areas of research and development, productivity, skills development, the linking of business to global markets and continuing investment in business support. The changes to red-tape procedures and business taxation reform will further assist our manufacturing sector. As the local member for the electorate of Braddon, which is often described as the engine room for Tasmania’s manufacturing, I am supportive of these issues for both my local region and Australia as a whole. I urge all members to take advantage of this great initiative.