Stop blaming wages and power bills. Here’s what’s really holding back Australian manufacturing

Tropes about high costs don’t tell the whole story when it comes to making things in Australia. Those aren’t the real reasons why the industry’s share of GDP is so low, explains Dominic Parsonson. Manufacturing isn’t a “nice to have” for Australia, it’s a pillar of growth, resilience and national security. Yet whenever we talk…

Government is backing Australian manufacturing, and that’s a great thing

Solar module maker Tindo Solar was recently awarded $34.5 million in federal government support. Here CEO Richard Petterson answers criticism about assistance to local companies in terms of the “potential unfair advantage” enjoyed by other nations selling into Australia.  The big news in renewables last week was the government’s $34.5 million commitment to domestic manufacturing…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

EPCA Expands into Latin America Mining equipment electrification company EPCA has announced a strategic partnership with Escala Consulting, which will represent EPCA across Mexico and Latin America as the official sales representative for the region. “With established operations in Australia and Mexico, Escala leverages deep regional insight and cross-border industry experience to unlock commercial opportunities…

TNA shows tenacity is the key ingredient

A local market too small for meaningful sales of a highly-specialised product. Overseas copycats. Prospects interested yet stuck on the notion that “it’s too good to be true.” TNA Solutions saw a set of problems familiar to many early-stage Australian businesses setting out with an interesting bit of technology. Their breakthrough invention, launched in 1985,…

Increased support for Tasmanian freight begins

Tasmanian businesses began receiving a 25 per cent increase to financial assistance on Monday as the Albanese Labor Government delivered on a key election commitment to boost the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme. The scheme recognises Tasmania’s reliance on shipping across the Bass Strait and supports Tasmanian shippers to move a range of non-bulk goods by…

Vietnam is poised to become a top 20 economy, so why is Australia taking so long to make trade and investment links?

By Anne Vo, University of Wollongong At a time of widespread global trade instability, Australia should be expanding and diversifying its economic partnerships. Supply chains remain fragile, and protectionist rhetoric is once again gaining traction in major Western economies. US President Donald Trump’s America First agenda includes sweeping tariffs on imports, withdrawal from multilateral agreements…