Process industry to benefit from Action Agendas

The process industry is being offered new opportunities and challenges a fresh round of submissions being called for the development of national industry Action Agendas.

In inviting submissions for the 2006-07 round recently, Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said Action Agendas had already been developed for a wide range of industries but there were new technologies and sectors which needed fostering.

"I urge all industry leaders with a strategy for growth to consider the value of an Action Agenda in turning their vision into reality," said Mr Macfarlane.

"The creation of Action Agendas encourages industry and government to work together to overcome impediments to growth in individual sectors by addressing action needed to assist specific industries realise their full potential," he said.

There has been a range of successful outcomes in many industry sectors since the first Action Agendas were launched in 1997. These include:

• Export success that has put Australia on track to supply a goal of 30 per cent of Asian liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand by 2020;
• Building new markets through work on the Joint Strike Fighter and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles via the Aerospace Industry Action Agenda;
• Establishing manufacturing clusters in the furniture and electronics industries;
• Slashing red tape for low concern and non-hazardous polymers and chemicals.

"There are already 36 Action Agendas in place and each provides the basis for the short to medium term growth of a particular industry. They draw on the combined strengths of a sector to promote a Team Australia approach," said Mr Macfarlane.

Industries wishing to undertake an Action Agenda are invited to make a submission by 20 April 2006. Each application will be assessed against selection criteria, and it is expected that announcements of the successful industries will be made in mid-2006.

Assistance and advice for parties interested in progressing a submission is available from Andrew McCredie, Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, on (02) 6213 6588 or by e-mail andrew.mccredie@industry.gov.au