Matters of Interest

Engineers Australia

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (15:25): I rise today to speak about a number of events that I have recently attended in my capacity as shadow minister for industry and skills. That includes the South Australian Engineering Excellence Awards night and the Sir Eric Neal Address, hosted by Engineers Australia, South Australian Division. Engineers Australia is a great organisation, and I have been fortunate enough to meet with and attend a number of events with them in my capacity as a shadow minister.

Engineers Australia supports public policy that promotes local jobs and investment, future prosperity of the South Australian population, consumer safety and confidence, and innovation. Some of their areas of focus include:

Review of education foundations to result in significant increases in student numbers of both genders, but particularly female, undertaking intermediate and advanced maths and science subjects to avoid the real risk of the limitation of numbers of future engineers.

Cooperation at all levels of government on implementing recommendations of the Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market and especially the need for more engineers in governing bodies.

Infrastructure development across South Australia, particularly developing long-term residential solutions, including those suitable for the aged, based on community connectivity, with direct access to health facilities, social needs and related services; making infrastructure asset maintenance a leading priority with a focus on road safety, water management and general consumer safety and confidence; and building South Australia into a national transport infrastructure and development hub.

Maximising engineering engagement and employment in the defence industry in South Australia.

Facilitating the transfer of advanced technology capability from defence into local cross-industrial manufacturing innovation.

Advocating for the introduction of legislation and regulation for registration of engineers, again to address consumer safety and confidence and to leverage associated economic benefit.

Last night, I had the pleasure of joining Mr Greg Parker, the division manager of Engineers Australia, Ms Claire Faulkner, members engagement manager of Engineers Australia, the Hon. Trish White, national president of Engineers Australia, and many other members of Engineers Australia at the annual Engineering Excellence Awards night.

This night is the engineering profession's night of nights, highlighting and celebrating the extraordinary contributions made to the local economy, community and environment. The awards recognise and promote new and innovative ideas that are brought to life in ways that bring fundamental change to our society. They inspire and encourage distinction through teamwork, innovation and technical excellence.

The night culminated with the presentation of the prestigious Malcolm Kinnaird Engineering Excellence Award. This year's winner was Innovation R&D in Cycling Performance, with Associate Professor Richard Kelso from the University of Adelaide present to accept the award. The projects that were nominated for the Engineering Excellence Award were diverse and included:

the Acoustic Data gauge hanger;

the Adelaide Convention Centre east building;

Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building;

ASC's Collins class submarine main motor refurbishment;

Coopers Brewery malting project;

Glenelg WWTP inlet works and Anderson Avenue WWPS upgrade;

the Hope Valley water storage roof upgrade;

Innovative R&D in Cycling Performance, as mentioned;

Mayne Pharma oral solid dosage production facility expansion;

O-Bahn City Access Project—of course, this was a project done by the previous state Labor government that thousands of north-east residents are benefitting from every day;

SA Power Networks RedEye DMS implementation for dynamic engineering and operational delivery;

Self-healing power system;

Smart Water Network;

South Australian emergency generators;

Torrens Road to River Torrens Project, which of course was another project the previous Labor government championed; and

the Waterproofing Eastern Adelaide Project.

As you can see from the list of projects, they are very diverse and impact on many aspects of our lives. The event was very well supported, including by our Governor, His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le, and Mrs Le, T2T Alliance, SA Power Networks, the University of Adelaide, Mott MacDonald, Arup, McConnell Dowell, Aurecon, AECOM, Lendlease, Acoustic Data, GHD, Fulton Hogan, Guidera O'Connor, ASC, SA Water, Jacobs, Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec, and York Civil.

It was also good to see the Minister for Industry and Skills attend this Engineers Australia event, given that there was no representative from the Marshall Liberal government at the Sir Eric Neal Address in May organised by Engineers Australia. The extraordinary contributions made to the local economy, community and environment are something that should make us proud of all our engineers, and I would encourage this current government to give them the support they need.

It is evident that engineering in South Australia is in great hands through Engineers Australia and the young people—and not so young people—who are involved with them. The future looks bright, and I place on record my sincere thanks and appreciation for the contribution they make to the state.