Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, announced the establishment of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Industries Innovation Council, as part of the TCF innovation package, in the Federal Budget on 12 May 2009.
The establishment of the TCF Industries Innovation Council recognises the importance of the TCF industries that employ over 50,000 Australians and underpins regional economies around the country. Innovation is a key driver of productivity, competitiveness, skills and sustainability for the TCF industries
The TCF Industries Innovation Council will provide strategic advice on innovation priorities to the Minister, champion innovation in the TCF industries and build connections with other organisations, including the Enterprise Connect network.
The Council membership represents a wealth of TCF industries experience and will look at a range of innovation issues and work closely with businesses, unions, researchers and government in achieving its goals.
In announcing the establishment of the TCF Industries Innovation Council, the Minister commissioned the Council to provide advice on the introduction of a voluntary ethical mark, voluntary national sizing standards for clothing and footwear and a national anthropometric (human measurement) database.
Membership of the Council
On 14 August 2009, the Minister announced the membership of the TCF Industries Innovation Council, with Mr Phillip Butler as Chair. Mr Butler is Director of Textor Technologies, a leading Australian company at the forefront of non woven textile technology.
A list of current members is available below.
| Mr Phillip Butler (Chair) |
Director, Textor Technologies |
| Mr Phil Butt |
Managing Director, J Robins & Sons |
| Mr Ross Fitzgerald |
General Manager – Sales, Steel Blue |
| Mr John Garrett |
Director, Godfrey Hirst Australia |
| Mr Michael Gerakios |
Global General Manager, Albany Filtration Technologies |
| Mr Mike Lawson |
General Manager, Competitive Industries Branch, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research |
| Mr Daniel Leipnik |
Chief Executive Officer, The Speciality Group |
| Dr Steve Morton |
Group Executive, Manufacturing, Materials and Minerals, CSIRO |
| Professor Marie O’Mahony |
Professor of Advanced Textiles and Fashion Design, University of Technology - Sydney |
| Ms Michele O’Neil |
National Secretary, Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia |
| Mr Lindsay Packer |
Managing Director, Packer Leather |
| Mr Andre Reich |
General Manager - Apparel, Footwear, Beauty, KMART |
| Mr Brian Rush |
Managing Director, Australian Defence Apparel |
| Mr Charles Szakiel |
Managing Director, Tascot Templeton Carpets |
| Mr Barry Tubner |
NSW, South Australia and Tasmania Branch Secretary, Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia |
| Mr Peter Waddell |
Chief Financial Officer, Stafford Group Pty Ltd |
Meetings
- 1st meeting: 17 September 2009
- 2nd meeting: 17 November 2009
- 3rd meeting: scheduled for 23 February 2010
Innovation Council sponsored TCF stakeholder workshops were held in Melbourne (25/11/09), Sydney (27/11/09) and Brisbane (2/12/09).
Innovation Profiles
Innovation Profiles are real stories of innovation in industry in Australia. Twenty five members of the Industry Innovation Councils, including four from the TCF council, share their views and experiences as innovation leaders. These Innovation Profiles are available in web, video and print formats.
Contacts
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research provides secretariat support to the Council. The Departmental contact is:
Gary Davis
Manager
TCF Industries Innovation Council Secretariat
GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601
Ph: 61-2-6213 7599
Email: gary.davis@innovation.gov.au