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CONTENTS FROM THE MINISTER Asia holds key to our industrial future
ADAPT OR SINK “We need new approaches to building a dynamic and diverse economy that will create the jobs of the future. “We need to improve competitiveness and to boost productivity, which is the key determinant of higher living standards.” Mr Combet said to improve productivity and competitiveness, Australia needs to invest in skills, infrastructure like the national broadband network, and actively support innovation in business. “The government has already been investing heavily in skills and infrastructure, and the upcoming industry and innovation statement will identify new ways to tackle the economic challenge in the Asian century, he said.
Uplifting productivity without loss of quality.
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“In the years ahead, the economies that will be most successful are those that develop new technologies and processes, and drive investments in cleaner energy. To achieve this we need to bring together our best research minds and our most innovative businesses.” Mr Combet said though Australia has a world-class research sector it does not perform as well as other countries in ensuring our research effort is translated into positive business and economic outcomes. “The Government’s upcoming Industry and Innovation Statement will include specific measures to encourage businesses, universities and our best researchers to work together – the nation’s innovation effort needs to be increasingly led by industry, Mr Combet said.
The Statement will also encompass additional measures to maximise job opportunities for Australians in the resources sector and other major projects. It will also complement antidumping measures announced by the Government in December to ensure Australian businesses and workers are not disadvantaged by cheap imports. Many manufacturers developed business plans when the Australian dollar was averaging between US60c and US80c. The high dollar, which has been trading above $US1.04 in recent weeks, makes it more difficult for manufacturers to compete in international markets and with imported products.
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LATEST NEWS Tough new Government measures to combat cheap imports
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SPECIAL REPORT Auto industry at the crossroads
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EDUCATION, TRAINING & APPRENTICES Solving the skills crisis
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PRODUCT NEWS
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SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE Focus on eye protection
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BUSINESS & FINANCE Victorian manufacturer soars into aerospace
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SPECIAL FEATURE What’s new in industrial doors
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FEATURE More supply chain innovation from Dematic
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AUSTRALIAN MADE Why manufacture in Australia
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MACHINERY, TOOLS AND METAL WORKING A label: the ‘must have’ product component 54 COMING EVENTS
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