Investor Updates
Australia names Manufacturing Industry Innovation Precinct board
18 June 2013
The Australian Government has named the board of its new Manufacturing Industry Innovation Precinct ahead of the July start date of the venture, which advances the nation’s reputation for innovation, collaboration and competitiveness.
The Government has selected Albert Goller, former Managing Director and Chair of Siemens Australia and New Zealand, to chair the Manufacturing Precinct board.
The Minister for Climate Change, Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet, said the industry-led board would help build a culture of innovation and collaboration across manufacturing in Australia.
Mr Combet said the board was a strong mix of major manufacturers and small to medium-sized enterprises, as well as representatives from unions, the research sector and the manufacturing value chain.
"We know that collaboration and innovation are vital to improving the productivity of our industries and these experienced business and research leaders will work with our manufacturing sector to improve knowledge and skills, deploy technology, and develop growth-oriented businesses," Mr Combet said in a statement.
The Manufacturing Precinct board held its first meeting last week. Its members include Christine Bridges Taylor, General Manager and Director, B&R Enclosures; Paul Bastian, National Secretary, Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union; Dr Fred Davis, Vice President of Business Development, Universal Biosensors; John Dixon, Managing Director, Silk Logistics Group; Dr Calum Drummond, Group Executive, Manufacturing, Materials and Minerals, CSIRO; Mike Edwards, General Manager, Boeing Research & Technology Australia; Professor Paul Greenfield AO, Chair, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation; Michael Heard, member of South Australian Premier's Science and Industry Council and former CEO of Codan Ltd; Dr Frank Koentgen, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ozgene; Rhett Morson, General Manager, Morson Engineering; and Mike Rausa, Executive Director Corporate Services, Toyota Motor Corporation Australia.
The Manufacturing Precinct is part of the Government's Industry Innovation Precinct initiative, a major focus of the Government's $1 billion Industry and Innovation Statement, unveiled earlier this year by the Government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
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