Question Time

Manufacturing Technology

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:22): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation. Can the minister inform the chamber about how the government is connecting industry with universities and research institutions to maximise the uptake of new manufacturing technologies?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:22): I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in industry and manufacturing in particular.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Long held.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Very long held. This government is committed to assisting South Australian industry to connect with universities and research institutions to adopt emerging manufacturing technologies in a number of ways. The government has established the Photonics Catalyst Program, which began operating in 2013, to connect South Australian manufacturers with emerging laser and sensor technologies being developed at the University of Adelaide's Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing. With $750,000 over two years to 30 June 2015, this program has so far assisted nine projects, with many more keen to be involved.

The government has established the Medical Technologies Program to facilitate engagement between manufacturers and the Flinders University's Coordinated Medical Device Partnering Program to develop medical technology products and, to date, has assisted 10 projects. The NanoConnect Program was established in 2013 to provide simple, low-risk mechanisms for companies to access advanced nanotechnologies for application in their businesses and through Flinders University's Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: The greatest university in the world.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Many science graduates believe Flinders University to be the greatest university in the world. The $500,000 NanoConnect Program currently has 10 manufacturers exploring new opportunities to experiment with nanotechnologies. Through this program, Bausele has been able to research and investigate a wide range of nanotechnologies that could be applied to watchmaking and, in particular, innovations that could give its watches performance or design advantages. I understand that Bausele is the first Swiss-made Australian watch company and, through the program, has developed a new lightweight, high-strength proprietary ceramic compound called Bauselite.

Bausele is incorporating Bauselite into the case structure of its new range of watches, the Terra Australis timepiece, which I am advised retails in the range of $3,500. This is an elite, top class, casino royale type quality watch. Bausele recently showcased its Terra Australis timepiece at the invitation-only Baselworld 2015 watch exhibition in Switzerland. This exhibition is reportedly the world's biggest and most important event for the watch and jewellery industry. I have been advised that the Bauselite used in Bausele watches will be manufactured here in South Australia and represents a significant success for the company, the South Australian industry and this particular NanoConnect program.

There is no doubt that the manufacturing technology programs have been highly successful to date and the programs will continue to expand the local industry's awareness and knowledge of the technologies and business model thinking that are driving competitiveness and productivity in advanced economies. In addition, the programs continue to raise awareness and understanding of world-class research capabilities that reside within our local universities and how businesses can access this expertise for their commercial benefit.