a majority liberal government will
- Provide an additional $10 million over four years to support our Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries to collaborate, innovate, commercialise and scale up to create jobs and further opportunities for Tasmanian businesses, including:
- $5 million over 3 years to implement the Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan, including developing and attracting a highly-skilled workforce, supporting the adoption of lead-edge design and technologies, and supporting greater market identification, access and industry promotion.
- $3 million over two years for the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Grants program to assist Tasmanian manufacturers to become more competitive, resilient and able to scale-up to better compete in global markets.
- Assisting Tasmanian manufacturers prepare and submit tenders for lucrative Defence contracts with $600,000 over two years for the Tender Incentive Grant Program.
- Providing a secured $600,000 interest free loan for three years for the PFG Group to build an ultra-durable High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) prototype vessel for the defence sector for domestic and international markets.
- Securing 500 jobs and creating an additional 120-150 direct jobs at Incat, by providing $100 million in finance on an interest-free basis for three years to construct a 120-metre high-speed vessel*.
- Assisting the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC) with $500,000 over four years to support the advanced manufacturing sector adopt Industry 4.0.
- Supporting the Tasmanian Defence Advocate to continue to work with Tasmanian manufacturing businesses to compete for lucrative defence contracts, with a further investment of $900,000.
Tasmania has a long history of manufacturing innovation.
Over seven years, the Liberals have backed in these critical industry sectors, and will continue to support their future growth, to be world leaders in manufacturing excellence.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will:
Invest $5 million over 3 years to implement the Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan
Our Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan is delivering results right now.
Tasmania’s defence industry was awarded 23 defence and national security supply contracts in 2019-20 with a total value in excess of $32 million, and the Australian Government invested $1.5 million through grants funding to Tasmanian companies working in the defence industry.
However, the manufacturing industry is changing rapidly, with new technologies, increased connectivity, the expansion of the role of robotics and product innovation having an impact. That’s why it’s so important to chart a four-year plan for the industry, with two-yearly reviews, to ensure it remains relevant to industry needs.
The additional $5 million over the next three years will support our Tasmanian manufacturers to remain competitive and grow through innovation, including:
- The development and attraction of a highly skilled workforce.
- Supporting the adoption of leading-edge design, innovation, technologies and practices to deliver growth and improved business capability.
- Supporting increased collaboration and advocacy for the sector.
- Supporting greater market identification and access, and industry promotion.
Provide $3 million over two years for the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Grants program to assist Tasmanian manufacturers to become more competitive, resilient and able to scale-up to better compete in global markets
The Program will encourage businesses to invest in new equipment, and as previous programs have demonstrated will lead to more jobs, increased trade and greater economic benefits for regional Tasmania.
Eligible grant recipients would receive between $10,000 and $100,000 depending on the size of the project, and based on a matched contribution.
Assist Tasmanian manufacturers prepare and submit tenders for lucrative Defence contracts with $600,000 over two years for the Tender Incentive Grant Program
There are billions of dollars’ worth of defence contracts up for grabs and Tasmania has many highly capable, niche advanced manufacturing businesses.
We have heard however from local businesses that the tender process is complicated, time consuming, confusing for new entrants, and very expensive. For many Tasmanian businesses it is a real barrier for entering the sector.
The Tender Incentive Program will give our advanced manufacturers the support they need to put their best foot forward with grants available to prepare tenders or seeking third party assistance in preparing and submitting tenders for contracts.
Eligible grants recipients would receive between $10,000-$100,000 depending on the size of the contract being tendered for.
Provide a secured $600,000 interest free loan for three years for the PFG Group to build an ultra-durable High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) prototype vessel for the defence sector for domestic and international markets
The loan will assist PFG Group to construct an ultra-durable High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) prototype vessel for the defence sector for domestic and international market.
PFG Group are manufacturing award-winning, globally recognised, Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) vessels for use in with a wide variety of commercial applications including military, marine police and public safety applications.
Construction of this ‘first in class’ watercraft will help secure the operations at PFG, with flow-on benefits to many local businesses.
With the Royal Australian Navy looking to replace their sea-boat fleet of 140 boats over the next 2 decades, with an estimated value of $70 million, this prototype vessel will ensure that PFG have every opportunity to secure the contract, and create additional jobs.
PFG Group are also pursuing several international opportunities and have currently tendered for three next-generation 12m RHIB ‘s with the New Zealand Defence Force.
Securing 500 jobs, and creating an additional 120-150 direct jobs at Incat, by providing $100 million in finance on an interest-free basis for three years to construct a 120-metre high-speed vessel
Moving to support the underwriting of the new Incat vessel, will secure both a significant local workforce and local supply chains.
See full policy at www.tas.liberal.org.au
Assisting the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC) with $500,000 over four years to support the advanced manufacturing sector adopt Industry 4.0
The Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council have been instrumental in recent years in leading industry to adopt best practice, as well as encourage peer learning and greater collaboration within the sector.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide the TMEC with $500,000 over 4 years to assist the manufacturing sector adopt Industry 4.0 and ensure Tasmania remains focused on leading edge, modern manufacturing.
Supporting the Tasmanian Defence Advocate to continue to work with Tasmanian manufacturing businesses to compete for lucrative defence contracts, with a further investment of $900,000
The Tasmanian Defence Advocate, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Steve Gilmore is supporting Tasmania’s defence industry to secure 23 defence and national security supply contracts in 2019-20 with a total value in excess of $32 million.
Over the next three years, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will invest a further $900,000 to continue to actively assist Tasmanian companies in the pursuit of defence contracts and to navigate the complex defence sector.
Current work underway:
- In November 2020 launched the Tasmanian Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan 2024, with establishment funding of $400,000.
Our record in Government:
- Released Tasmania’s first Tasmanian Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan in 2016, and the second in 2020.These Action Plans have resulted in –
- $51 million in increased sales.
- $36.7 million in private investment.
- 435 jobs for Tasmanians and forecast of a further 490 jobs by 2022.
- The opening of a Tasmanian Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence.
- 139 Tasmanian manufacturers registered on new web portal to showcase Tasmanian capabilities.
- Launched the Tasmanian Defence Industry Directory in 2020.
- Launceston Tasmania’s first Defence Strategy in 2016, updated in 2018.
- Launched the Tasmanian Maritime Campaign in 2020.
- Took Tasmania’s largest ever defence services and manufacturing contingent to the Pacific 2019 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney – resulting in the awarding of over 23 defence and national security supply contracts ($32 million total value).
- Launched the Advanced Manufacturing Market Expansion Program and the Innovation and Growth Voucher system in 2016.
Labor-Green record:
Under the last Labor-Green Government between 2010 and 2014:
- The unemployment rate reached 8.6%
- 10,400 jobs were lost between February 2011 and October 2013
- Youth unemployment reached a high of 20.6% in December 2013
Costings:
This policy costs $10 million over three years.
* Costings provided in another policy