The Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews MP, visited the Berowra electorate to speak at a forum hosted by Julian Leeser MP on the Australian manufacturing industry.
There are 433 manufacturing businesses in the Berowra electorate, employing 3,555 people.
“The Berowra electorate has an established and growing manufacturing sector. Being such a large and diverse electorate presents us with a unique opportunity to grow our manufacturing industry across a variety of sectors including food, beverage and technology,” said Julian Leeser MP.
In the recent Federal Budget, the Morrison Government announced a commitment to expanding the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund. The fund is backing to help our small and medium manufacturers to help them expand and grow, driving a jobs-led recovery. It currently supports 200 projects worth $215 million across the nation to help upgrade their production.
Minister Andrews said she was delighted to visit Berowra to talk to manufacturers about the Government’s vision under the Modern Manufacturing Strategy.
“This Strategy is all about creating jobs, driving our economy forward and making Australia more secure,” Minister Andrews said.
“By playing to our strengths through our National Manufacturing Priorities we’re strategically investing to help businesses be more competitive, resilient and able to scale up to take on new markets.
“This won’t just be good for manufacturers, but also others right along the supply chain.”
Julian Leeser MP said the Modern Manufacturing Fund was an important investment in the Berowra electorate.
“The expansion of the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund is a great opportunity for our local manufacturers to grow and create more jobs for our community,” said Julian Leeser.
“It’s fantastic to have Minister Karen Andrews MP visit the electorate to hear directly from our local manufacturers abut their experiences during the pandemic and discuss support available to them. The support our government has provided the sector is helping the economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Australian manufacturing is vital to the nation’s economic prosperity and self-sufficiency. Employing over 852,000 Australians and producing essential goods that feed, clothe and protect our nation, the importance of manufacturing in Australia has become clearer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having a modern and globally competitive manufacturing sector that plays to our strengths will enable Australian companies to scale up, taking their products to the world. Onshore manufacturing is particularly critical to Australia during times of crisis. Our manufacturers have pivoted during this crisis, manufacturing masks, gloves and sanitizer and continuing to provide essential goods such as food, when global markets are disrupted.
