FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTING IN REGIONAL MANUFACTURING

The Federal Government is investing $10 million to make Wagga Wagga a regional manufacturing hub.

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said Wagga Wagga manufacturing business Flip Screen had been granted $10 million to grow, expand and create more local jobs.

“Flip Screen has developed innovative solutions for the resources and recycling industries which will have an impact right across the globe, and it is doing it from right here in Wagga Wagga,” Mr McCormack said.

“The Federal Government’s $10 million investment towards the $35 million project is projected to create up to 147 full-time jobs during construction and up to 502 ongoing full-time jobs over the first five years of the project.

“This is an investment in regional Australia, this is the Liberals and Nationals in Government backing the regions, this is going to help Flip Screen realise its vast potential on the world stage.

“I commend Flip Screen’s Managing Director, Sam Turnbull, and its Chief Financial Officer, Daniel Jones, for their initiative and vision to make Wagga Wagga the home for such an impressive innovation.”

Mr Turnbull said the grant would help the company expand its world-leading product line.

“The funding from the Federal Government will go towards building a new manufacturing facility in Wagga Wagga, which will enable us to commercially produce and export larger machines which can screen up to 3,000 tonnes of material per hour,” Mr Turnbull said.

“This is projected to inject an additional $89 million to the Riverina’s Gross Regional Product and will provide a catalyst to attract other manufacturers and high-value skilled jobs in the region.”

Flip Screen is one of eight companies to be funded for projects under the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals sector, as part of the first round of the Government’s $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI).

The MMI is the centrepiece of the Morrison Government’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy, designed to position Australia as a globally recognised, high-quality and sustainable manufacturing nation.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said the projects would help to build our sovereign capability in this critically important sector and would create new opportunities for Australian businesses.

“Australia’s resource sector is world-class. Through our $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative, we are helping to unlock the enormous potential by providing targeted support for projects that will deliver big rewards for our local economy, generate more export earnings and create new jobs,” Minister Porter said.

“Whether it’s building large-scale battery systems, adding value to critical minerals exports through new refining techniques, or driving the adoption of battery power in mining vehicles, these projects will increase Australia’s international competitiveness and help position us a future leader in this crucial sector.”

The funding through the MMI supports projects within the Government’s National Manufacturing Priorities of Space, Medical Products, Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing, Food and Beverage, Recycling and Clean Energy and Defence.

For more information on the Modern Manufacturing Strategy visit www.industry.gov.au/manufacturing

Ken Grimson