Prime minister Anthony Albanese has announced $20.7 million in funding for a new Future Industries Facility at the University of Newcastle, with a focus on “accelerating resource sustainability, workforce training and productivity solutions”. According to a statement on Monday, funding for the centre is through the regional Precincts and Partnerships program, and will see two…
By John Quiggin, The University of Queensland Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s plan for nuclear power in Australia has provoked a great deal of discussion and analysis – most of it critical. Experts point out the Coalition’s long-awaited modelling involves both highly optimistic costings and a massively lower demand for electricity than expected in official projections. In…
Combined NSW and federal funding worth $47 million has been announced to establish the Illawarra Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at TAFE NSW Wollongong, the third TAFE CoE announced for the state. According to a joint statement from the two governments on Tuesday, the upcoming facility will: Provide targeted training in traditional and emerging…
By Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra This year will set a record for the addition of renewables to the grid, according to figures to be released on Thursday by the Clean Energy Regulator. It projects the average annual renewable share of the electricity market will be 45% in 2025. The Albanese government’s target is 82%…
This week Russell Mineral Equipment was announced as the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation’s first investee, with the NRFC taking a $40 million stake in the company alongside US-based private equity firm Resource Capital Funds. Earlier this year, RME was a gold award winner in @AuManufacturing‘s Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers campaign for 2024. Below is…
The main initiative serving the federal government’s 2022 election pledge to transform the nation’s industry, the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, is about to start investing in Australian companies, according to industry minister Ed Husic. The NRF Corporation – the independent body administering the fund – “will soon be cutting its first cheques”, according to…
The federal government has announced a $5 million grant to Australian Strategic Materials (ASM), covering up to 50 per cent of a project to identify “alternative, capital efficient and nearer term options” for producing rare earth elements at its Dubbo Project. The funding announced by resources minister Madeline King (pictured in middle) on Tuesday is…
The federal government has appointed Tony Mahar as the new Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, replacing Andrew Dyer, who retired from the role at the end of March. Dyer has been CEO of the peak agricultural body the National Farmers Federation since March 2016, and according to his biography at the NFF has worked “in and…
What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to @AuManufacturing were reading. 5) AIM Defence opens new anti-drone laser factory Laser-based anti-drone system maker AIM Defence has expanded into a 4000 sqm facility to support the manufacture and export of AIM’s Fractl Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) laser. The new facility will house a skilled…
The NSW and federal governments have announced combined funding of $53.95 million to support a new TAFE centre in western Sydney to deliver training in engineering, transport and renewable energy. In a joint statement on Thursday, the governments said the TAFE NSW Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence – Western Sydney at the Wetherill Park Campus…