PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the launch of a new innovation strategy for industries in the Hunter shows that the “opportunities have never been greater for the Hunter”.
Speaking at the launch of Regional Development Australia’s new “smart specialisation strategy” for the Hunter in Canberra on Wednesday, Mr Turnbull said the development of a plan to diversify the Hunter’s economy through innovation was a “microcosm” of what the federal government wants “to see more of right around Australia”.
RDA Hunter’s “smart specialisation strategy” aims at highlighting the sectors expected to create the region’s future jobs.
In a report released earlier this year, it identified seven industries where the Hunter would have a competitive advantage in the future.
“They’re the areas we’re best at now, and most likely to be best at in the future, to create prosperity and jobs in the Hunter,” RDA Hunter chief executive Todd Williams said.
Mr Turnbull, whose own agribusiness connections in the Hunter include sheep and cattle operations, said in his remarks at the launch that he was “impressed” by the group’s report, and Mr Williams said laying the groundwork with the strategy would make it easy to attract government assistance.
“Rather than going to government’s with our hands up saying we need help, we’ve laid the groundwork with this strategy saying these are the areas the Hunter needs to grow, and that in turn makes it easier for the government to support us in the future.”
Mr Turnbull said that while coal mining is still “terrifically important”, he welcomed the increased diversification of the region’s economy.
“The Hunter of course is a great mining precinct … it’s the biggest coal precinct in Australia,” he said.
“Nonetheless however the greatest assets of the Hunter are its people.
“The most valuable capital is its human capital [and the strategy’s] focus on mining engineering, on agribusiness and other specialisations is very, very worthwhile because you are focusing on things that you are already very good at and that you will get better at in the future.”
Part of the strategy’s aim is to encourage trade links between the Hunter and the European Union.
The launch was attended by representatives from the Euro zone, as well as the German ambassador to Australia.
“There’s already opportunities for trade there because of the free trade agreements in place and because of the industries we share, if you’re an engineer in the Hunter there’s no reason you can’t be engaged in agribusiness trade with Europe,” Mr Williams said.
View the Newcastle Herald story http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3794679/a-more-exciting-time-to-live-in-the-hunter/?cs=305
View the Newcastle Herald editorial http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3794897/hunter-innovation-plan-taken-to-canberra/?cs=313
View the Start Up Daily Newsletter story http://www.startupdaily.net/2016/03/government-looks-spur-support-innovation-across-regional-australia/
View the European Union Newsletter story http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/australia/press_corner/all_news/index_en.htm
View the ABC 24 footage https://youtu.be/YDc0qKIVpDU
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