Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Hansard source

Today is the beginning of National Manufacturing Week, so I am delighted to speak about the ongoing commitment of the Turnbull government to the automotive sector. Manufacturing in Australia is transforming, and its long-term health depends on developing new and innovative ways of moving into high-value, high-skilled advanced manufacturing. Yesterday I announced that the Turnbull government has committed an extra $100 million in new money to drive innovation in Australia's manufacturing sector to create jobs, grow businesses, improve productivity and be globally competitive. The fund includes $47.5 million for a new advanced manufacturing growth fund which will help industry adjust to the wind-down of car manufacturing. It will help businesses establish and expand high-value manufacturing in South Australia and Victoria.

We are investing in the automotive industry's future in this country while providing the diversification of businesses to drive high-value, innovative advanced manufacturing practices in this country. That is why this fund will also provide $20 million under the CRC projects initiative to support larger-scale advanced manufacturing research projects of up to $3 million in funding over three years. There will be $10 million to establish innovation labs—these would be in South Australia and Victoria—to provide test centre facilities and business capability development for the industry. Tariffs will be reduced—this is worth $13.5 million—on imported prototypes and components used by motor vehicle design and engineering services that operate in a global network. There will be $4 million for the ongoing work of our Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre to support small-scale and pilot research projects assisting small firms and early-stage researchers to quickly move to large-scale research and commercialisation, and $5 million will be invested in student research at universities and technology institutions to continue the flow of highly trained engineers to the automotive design and engineering sector. (Time expired)