Industry needs smart research, says Laundy

Advanced manufacturing is one of Australia’s biggest contributors to research funding, particularly in areas such as robotics and “smart, niche industries”, deputy science minister Craig Laundy has told a university forum in Sydney.

“Manufacturing continues to be an important part of Australia’s industry mix, accounting for 6.1 per cent of national GDP and 7.4 per cent of employment, but its importance goes way further,” said Laundy (above, left).

“It also makes large contributions to R&D, skills and technology transfer, exports and productivity growth. In the 2015-16 financial year, manufacturing generated $100 billion in export income, second only to mining’s $117bn.”