The Coalition says it has distributed the Victorian government’s transport technologies discussion paper
Victoria’s shadow minister for roads and infrastructure Ryan Smith claims to have released the government’s discussion paper into transport technologies.
The opposition minister says the move is to garner the opinion of the 10 per cent of manufacturing workers who fill transport equipment roles.
“While the Andrews Government has released some discussion papers relating to some of the identified sectors, there has been no direction or focus at all on others,” Smith says.
“One such omission is in the ‘transport technologies’ sector.
“While the government has identified this important sector as having opportunities for growth, the Minister has so far refused to allow either stakeholder or broader input in the same manner as other sectors – by publically putting a discussion paper on line for feedback.”
The debate surrounds the Future Industries Fund, which was announced by the government in May to provide $200 million to support growth industries.
The government picked six industries that it thought would create high-skill and high-wage employment, pointing to medical technologies and pharmaceuticals; new energy technologies; food and fibre; transport, defence and construction technologies; international education; and professional services.
Smith says there is an issue with the lack of information surrounding the “portion of funds allocated to each industry sector, nor are there any specific outcomes expected in terms of jobs growth or commercial investment.”
The 18-question discussion paper (available here) supplied by Smith dates back to August 7, and says that submissions can be made via the future industries website by September 2015.
Those included in the survey range from companies in the truck and trailer industry to aerospace components, though it excludes car makers; defence vehicles; transport, distribution and logistics activities; and shipbuilding.
The Victorian government did not reply to ATN‘s questions.