INVESTING IN OUR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND DEFENCE INDUSTRIES

Madeleine Ogilvie MP, Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries and Minister for Science and Technology

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is continuing to grow Tasmania’s advanced manufacturing and defence industries sector capability through the 2022-23 Tasmanian Budget.

We are delivering for the industry with the successful launch of PFG Group’s Sentinel 1100, a direct result of the Tasmanian Government’s investment into this important company through a $600,000 no interest loan.

We have seen a further successful round of the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Grant program with another round opening later this year.

This recently completed round will deliver more than $2.2 million in investment into the Tasmanian economy and create some 40 jobs in the advanced manufacturing industry.

It is positive growth for our fifth largest industry and we want to see this continue, which is why round three of the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Grant program opens in August.

Space is an area that we have recognised as a State that has room to grow and more to contribute. It is an industry that captures the imagination like no other.

As a State, we continue to keep our eyes on the horizon for opportunities to grow Tasmanian successes, which is why we have invested $500,000 into the Tasmanian Space Technology Seed Fund.

This fund will support eligible businesses in research and development projects that seek to extend, adapt or develop new products or services for the space economy.

We recognise the incredible opportunity offered to our innovative Tasmanian businesses by the space industry, which is expected to grow to $12 billion and create 20,000 jobs in Australia by 2030.

We know our tech and advanced manufacturing sector are global leaders and we want them to have access to a greater diversity of markets. The Space Technology Seed Fund will allow our businesses to break into the space sector and grow Tasmania’s market share of space sector investment.

We know that people are at the heart of every government, which is why we are focussed on providing greater choice for Service Tasmania customers in how they access government services, complementing the great work of the staff in the shops with digital and over the phone services.

That is why we invested $4.4 million over four years from 2021, into Service Tasmania to improve and expand customer experience.

This Budget is about making Tasmanians’ priorities our priorities, and securing our State’s future so we can deliver for all.