ADVANCED MANUFACTURING STRATEGY

In reply to Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (22 June 2012) (Estimates Committee A).

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Small Business): An Act of Parliament is not required to create the Advanced Manufacturing Council (AMC), which is a non-statutory advisory body reporting to the Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade.

While the Manufacturing Consultative Council had been in operation since 2003, it was decided that a new focus was required for the development and implementation of policies, strategies, and programs to support the growth and international competitiveness of advanced manufacturing, in line with the government's strategic priority—growing advanced manufacturing. The establishment of the Advanced Manufacturing Council and development of a strategy for driving high-value manufacturing in South Australia, were key initiatives to achieve this priority.

In 2012-13 the total budget for the AMC was $670,000. This included $119,000 for Executive Officer support. The remaining amount covered board fees, travel, meeting expenses and small projects. The funds were allocated from within the $8.3 million Advanced Manufacturing Strategy budget announced in the 2012-13 State Budget. The department has allocated specific project budgets for the programs identified in the Advanced Manufacturing Strategy.