Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

The Rudd Labor government will drive innovation and renewal in the Australian textiles, clothing and footwear industries by investing some $401 million in a very targeted TCF innovation package. It will run from 2009-10 through to 2015-2016, with an extra $55 million earmarked for innovation, including $10 million of new funding. The package recognises the importance of the TCF industries, which employ over 45,000 Australians and underpin regional economies right around the country. These measures aim to make the TCF industries stronger and more sustainable by supporting the development of new products and processes, especially at the high-tech, high-value end of the market.

Under this package the Commonwealth will introduce a new $30 million TCF Strategic Capability Program to support large projects that will boost innovation capacity and performance at the enterprise level. They will be based on matching funding. We will establish a new Clothing and Household Textile Building Innovative Capability Program to support innovation. This will be based on a TCF strategic investment program which has a funding of $22.5 million per annum or $112 million in total. We will also establish a TCF Innovation Council, bringing together business, unions, researchers and government to champion innovation in the sector and provide strategic advice. We will establish a national TCF— (Time expired)