Federal cash for food, defence manufacturing.
Major revamp of Federal Ministry
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has unveiled a significant revamp of his ministry, with major changes to the portfolios of Attorney-General, Defence and Home Affairs. Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations Michaelia Cash has been confirmed in that role, while Queenslanders Peter Dutton and Karen Andrews are the new Ministers for Defence and for Home Affairs respectively. Meanwhile, the Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, has been promoted to Federal Cabinet while Christian Porter will become the new Industry, Science and Technology Minister, and Linda Reynolds, Minister for Government Services.
PM launches plan for sovereign guided weapons
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its intentions to strengthen the nation’s sovereign defence industrial capability, announcing major plans to manufacture missile and guided weapons for the Australian Defence Force. It is creating a $1 billion Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise, with the Prime Minister and new Defence Minister Peter Dutton announcing that the Government would choose a strategic industry partner to manufacture a suite of precision weapons. The enterprise will support the Modern Manufacturing Initiative for projects in the defence sector, featuring an industry-led ‘road map’.
Federal Labor pledges major backing of electric cars
Federal Labor Leader Anthony Albanese has pledged significant tax concessions on electric car purchases in a policy reform presented to the ALP National Conference. Mr Albanese said a Labor government would cut government taxes, including import taxes and the fringe benefits tax, on non-luxury electric vehicles. He has also promised to revive domestic manufacturing through a National Reconstruction Fund, working with the private industry, including the superannuation sector.
Federal funds target food and beverage sector
Food and beverage manufacturers are being invited to apply for Federal funds to increase production, commercialise their products and integrate into domestic and global supply chains. The food and beverage sector is one of the six priority areas targeted for funding under the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative; the latest funding round seeks to add value to local agricultural production.
Payroll jobs back to pre-pandemic levels
Payroll job numbers have rebounded to their pre-Covid 19 levels, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. In the year to 13 March 2021, total payroll jobs rose 0.2 per cent across Australia, although remaining 1.1 per cent below in Tasmania and 0.7 per cent below in Victoria. After the pandemic struck in March 2020, payroll job numbers slumped by 8.5 per cent within a month, with a combined fall of up to 35 per cent in the accommodation, food services, arts and recreation sectors.
Re-set for international education sector
Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge has released for consultation a longer-term strategy designed to rebuild Australia’s international education sector post Covid-19. Mr Tudge wants greater diversity in the sector and an improved targeting of international enrolments towards Australia’s future skills needs, to aid the nation’s economic recovery. He also said he wanted to increase the resilience of the international education sector to global changes in demand.