The Productivity Commission’s inquiry into Queensland’s manufacturing sector has been welcomed by manufacturers across the state, said Acting Premier and Treasurer Curtis Pitt.
Inspecting window manufacturer Breezway’s commercial workshop on Wednesday, Mr Pitt said the manufacturing inquiry will investigate existing and emerging opportunities in the sector.
“The inquiry is expected to examine opportunities in high-value advanced manufacturing sectors including health, mining, transport and the environment,” he said.
“It will also look at ways to build on Queensland’s traditional manufacturing base, including our agricultural and resources sectors and specifically investigate if and how the government can assist in bringing good, well-paying manufacturing jobs back to Queensland.”
Ai Group State Director Jemina Dunn also commended the Palaszczuk Government for its “foresight vision” in establishing the Queensland Productivity Commission inquiry.
“The Government has stated its firm focus on job creation in Queensland and the decision by the Treasurer is potentially a game changer for manufacturing jobs in Queensland, further confirming that when it comes to further diversifying the economy this Government means business,” Ms Dunn said.
“Ai Group has long advocated the importance of manufacturing to Queensland’s future prosperity and Queensland manufacturers have greatly valued this Government’s focus on the sector.”
She said the Ai Group particularly welcomed the Treasurer’s request that the Commission focus on advanced manufacturing as well as on areas of traditional strength in manufacturing in Queensland.
“In reality these two dimensions overlap with many businesses in traditional manufacturing industries clearly qualifying as ‘advanced manufacturers’, indeed at Ai Group we have the strong view that all manufacturers can become ‘advanced manufacturers’,” Ms Dunn added.
