Deakin welcomes Federal Budget investment in advanced manufacturing

Announced by the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator the Hon Arthur Sinodinos ahead of the release of the Federal Budget on Tuesday evening, the $100 million package includes funding for advanced manufacturing research projects, innovation labs to serve industry, student research projects in engineering and support for small scale and pilot research projects.

Professor den Hollander said Deakin was perfectly placed at the bleeding edge of global research, innovation and jobs creation when it came to advanced manufacturing.

“I welcome the Federal Government’s strong investment and commitment to advanced manufacturing – an area in which Deakin is well advanced,” Professor den Hollander said.

“As a region of makers and innovators it’s important that Geelong continues its transition to advanced manufacturing, particularly in light of the closure of the car industry. Deakin is already making great progress and these new funding streams will assist with the acceleration of that work.

“Across automotive industry, textiles, aerospace, intelligent systems and medical technologies, Deakin is well-positioned to continue to deliver on the Federal Government’s innovation agenda.

“Deakin’s Geelong Innovation Precinct and our Advanced Fibre Cluster are taking the region’s world-leading manufacturing past into a new era of advanced and exciting technology.

“The Geelong Innovation Precinct has created 1000 jobs over the past five years, and more than 400 people are now employed through the Advanced Fibre Cluster. And of course Deakin has Carbon Nexus, a purpose-built research facility that is responding to the diverse needs of international manufacturing organisations.

“I’m particularly pleased the $100 million package also includes funding for students to work directly with industry – this aligns perfectly with Deakin’s Centre for Advanced Design in Engineering Training (CADET) for high value, industry-based projects.”