Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, established the Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council (FMIIC) in October 2008 and appointed Mr Philip Binns, Managing Director of Varian Australia, as its Chair. Its membership includes leaders in innovation from business, the science and research community, unions, professional associations and the Australian Government. The Council met for the first time in Canberra on 2 December 2008.
The Council focuses on innovation-intensive, high value-add manufacturing. For example, those companies using advanced processes, materials and technologies, including the scientific and medical instruments industry, specialist engineering and aerospace.
It also looks at the growing area of manufacturing services, and at opportunities for Australian manufacturers in the global response to climate change, such as clean energy and water technologies.
The Council is helping develop strategies for boosting Australia's competitive advantage and exploiting new and existing opportunities in manufacturing by:
- supporting and promoting innovation in the manufacturing sector;
- identifying emerging industries and opportunities for manufacturers; and
- identifying enabling technologies of significant benefit to industry.
The Council is working with industry to build a strong innovation culture where business, the research sector, the workforce and governments work together and invest in technology and practices that are more productive, cleaner and responsive than those traditionally used.
Australia's manufacturing future
The Australian manufacturing sector is a significant contributor to our economy. It produces around 12 per cent of GDP and almost 40 per cent of exports. It also conducts 31 per cent of business R&D.
However, Australian manufacturers are under increasing pressure from global competition, the rise of low cost, low wage manufacturing economies, and the changes that will need to be made to reduce emissions and become more sustainable.
The future of the manufacturing industry in Australia is tied to its willingness and capacity to innovate. It needs to focus on high technology, high-skill, and high-wage manufacturing where it is globally competitive and where Australia has world-class capabilities and technology.
The initiative
The Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council is one of a number of Industry Innovation Councils established by the Australian Government. The Councils are providing strategic advice on innovation priorities to Senator Carr as well as championing innovation in industry and building connections with industry stakeholders.
The Government and its stakeholders are partnering to:
- improve Australian industry's productivity, global competitiveness and market access;
- build a highly skilled and flexible workforce for the 21st century through best practice in employment and training;
- ensure the sustainable development of Australian industry; and
- respond to challenges including climate change and social inclusion.
More information
For more information about the Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council, please contact:
Shane Baker Manager, FMIIC Secretariat
+61 2 6213 7787
Futuremanufacturing@innovation.gov.au
www.innovation.gov.au/FMIIC
Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
GPO Box 9839 CANBERRA ACT 2601