Page 7 - Food&Drink Nov-Dec 2020

The future of food manufacturing
A new era of manufacturing in Australia has arrived and food and beverage is leading the way. Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews writes about how the federal government’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy will unlock even greater potential.
I’VE seen many puns about the Morrison Government’s hunger and thirst to create more manufacturing jobs. I won’t indulge. But we are taking decisive action to rebuild the economy, create jobs and recover from the COVID-19 recession.
There are billions of dollars in investment in this year’s Budget designed to encourage our manufacturers to invest.
Our extension of the instant asset write-off is already seeing manufacturers invest in new equipment, upgrade production lines and look to bring work home to Australia.
But the Morrison Government is also planning for the future beyond the COVID-19 recovery.
Our $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy will set up Australia for a brighter future. It builds on the foundational work which we’ve been doing to get the economic conditions right for all manufacturers – from tax concessions, to reducing energy costs, to creating the pipeline of skilled workers.
But central to this strategy is a commitment to play to our strengths. If we’re going to turbo-charge job creation and affect meaningful change in manufacturing, then we need to focus our investments in areas where we know we can get the best return.
That’s why we’ve identified six National Manufacturing
“ Food and beverage manufacturing is also the lifeblood of our regional communities, with nearly 40 per cent of jobs in this sector located in regional areas.”
Priorities – areas of manufacturing where we have an edge over other nations or a strategic priority.
These priorities will dictate what projects the Government invests in through our $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative and in our second round of the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund.
Food and Beverage was an obvious choice to make the priority list.
From prime beef, to sustainably harvested seafood, to pristine wheat and premium alcohol products – Australia has an international reputation for products that are high- quality, clean and green.
Just last year, Australia exported $33 billion in manufactured food and beverage products, and the sector contributed $28 billion to the Australian economy.
Food and beverage manufacturing is also the lifeblood of our regional communities, with nearly
40 per cent of jobs in this sector located in regional areas. In addition, 70 per cent of food-producing agricultural jobs are in these same areas.
But there is room for growth, to unlock even greater potential to create jobs for Australians.
To achieve that, we need to see our food and beverage manufacturers continue to push themselves – collaborating with our research community, as well as each other.
We also need to see them translating new ideas and
Opportunities include transforming the nutritional value and shelf life of local produce, as well as creating new products that take advantage of growing demand for health foods and products.
By 2030, the Asia-Pacific will be home to an estimated 65 per cent of the world’s middle class. Customers are demanding greater variety of tailored products that reflect their needs and values.
processes – taking them from a good idea to a value-adding reality.
Australia cannot take for granted our natural advantages. We must continue to push ourselves to take more high quality products to the world.
By doing this, we’re charting a course out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and setting a new direction for Australia. A direction that will create new jobs for now and generations to come. ✷
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Mineral Technologies GM Alex deAndrade with Minister Karen Andrews.
FROM THE MINISTER
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