ARCHIVE - The Hon Ian Macfarlane MP was the former Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources. The following media release was issued during his term as Minister. A new Government was sworn in by the Governor-General on 3 December 2007, including the following Ministerial appointments:
Senator the Hon Kim Carr - Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
The Hon Dr Craig Emerson MP - Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy, Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation.
For media releases from the current term of Government, please visit http://minister.innovation.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Media Release
The Hon Ian Macfarlane, MP
8 May 2007
On 1 May 2007, Prime Minister John Howard and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane released the Howard Government’s 10 year $1.4 billion Industry Statement - Global Integration.
“The Industry Statement strengthens the policy platform for Australian industry, focusing on growing business, building productivity, driving innovation and integrating Australian businesses into global supply chains," Mr Macfarlane said.
"It responds to the key challenges of the global marketplace: falling trade barriers; the concentration of trade in global supply chains; and the growing pressure on firms to create new competitive advantages.
“Since 1996, the Howard Government has supported Australian industry to adjust to these changes. Sound economic management and policies supporting innovation and investment have helped transform industry.
"For manufacturing, the result has been record exports, investment and innovation. The Industry Statement will build on these foundations to strengthen the burgeoning export culture of Australian industry.
"Many Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can now compete anywhere in the world. Many more must gain that capacity over the next decade.
"Innovation will be vital. The Government will offer more support to convert public sector research and development into investment and jobs. Nanotechnology will be a key focus.
"The Government also recognises that for many businesses their future growth depends on applying the latest technology and business strategies.
"To meet their needs, the Australian Government will deliver a full range of business improvement services through Australian Industry Productivity Centres.
"This ongoing initiative will provide more than $350 million over 10 years to support businesses in the services and manufacturing sectors identify and implement strategies for growing their businesses, drawing on the best available professional advice.
“Being competitive is one thing. Seizing the opportunities in the global market is another. SMEs often struggle to break into global supply chains or win a share of major overseas contracts. Smaller businesses usually lack the information, networks and critical mass to take the next step into export expansion.
"To assist these businesses become export successes, the Government will launch the Global Opportunities programme with ongoing support worth more than $250 million over 10 years. Drawing on industry and export services across government, the programme will identify every year at least $16 billion in overseas contracts. Australian bids for the most promising opportunities will be facilitated, linking local firms into key global supply chains.
Overall, the Industry Statement provides more than $1.4 billion over 10 years including:
- The new $254.1 million Global Opportunities programme to help Australian firms win work in global supply chains and major projects;
- Continued support through Austrade to pursue export opportunities arising from the Aust-US FTA and through expanding the role of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation;
- The $351.8 million Australian Industry Productivity Centres to help firms review their business performance and capitalise on new market opportunities;
- More than $500 million to extend eligibility of the 175% Premium R&D Tax Concession;
- The new $90.3 million Commercial Ready Plus Programme which will encourage additional research and development in small firms;
- $20.1 million over five years to encourage technology transfer through the new Intermediary Access Programme ;
- $21.5 million over four years for the development of a National Nanotechnology Strategy;
- $36.2 million over four years to develop niche manufacturing industries based on nanotechnology;
- $89.2 million to develop and maintain an online registration system for both the Australian Business Number (ABN) and state and territory business names;
- $14.3 million over two years to extend the Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business Programme; and
- $54.2 million over four years to support R&D in the food processing industry.
"Over the past decade, the Howard Government has supported Australian industry to become world class and to seize the opportunities offered by changing global markets.
"Our opponents are determined to roll back the reforms that have helped sustain the longest economic expansion in our modern history. Australia can't afford to fall behind the pace. We can't afford to take one step back.
"The Howard Government's Industry Statement offers industry the support it needs to secure a prosperous future. It will prepare Australia for a new era of growth, prosperity and opportunity," Mr Macfarlane said.
For more information refer to Industry Statement fact sheets and related material at www.industry.gov.au.
Media contact: Claire Wilkinson 02 6277 7580 0419 840452