BREAKING NEWS

Downer Wins $4.6 billion Train Manufacturing Contract

Downer has signed a $4.6 billion contract to design, manufacture and deliver new suburban trains, returning train manufacturing to the Maryborough region, under the landmark Queensland Train Manufacturing Program.

The contract will deliver 65 passenger trains, for use on the South East Queensland rail network, and support 800 jobs in construction and manufacturing. The first train set to be delivered in 2026, with all 65 on track for 2032.

The $7.1 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program is now in motion with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announcing the signing of the contract. Palaszczuk said, “Not only does this $7.1 billion program secure generations of job security, skills and training in Maryborough, but it sets our state up for a strong transport future. Because Queensland trains should be made in Queensland.”

Downer was announced as the preferred supplier for the program earlier this year.

Queensland VET Strategy to Meet Jobs Demand

The Queensland Government is developing a new Queensland Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy to drive the government’s annual $1.2 billion investment in skills and training.

The Government has released a discussion paper asking Queenslanders to have their say to ensure its skills and training investment – as part of the Good People. Good Jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 – is delivering priority skills for the jobs in demand.

A discussion paper and online survey are now live with forums to be held across the state to gather the views of stakeholders and users of the VET system.

Small businesses, employers, industry groups, training providers, job seekers, students, apprentices and trainees are invited to have their say to ensure government investment is delivering the best outcomes for Queenslanders, employers and communities.

Beacon Expansion Puts the Spotlight on STEM

BAE Systems Australia is expanding its science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) outreach program with immersive technology company, Lumination, to young people in Victoria. This means more than 600 students in years four to six across Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales will benefit from the Beacon program this year, which involves in-school learning and intensive STEM focused camps.

Beacon focuses on young people aged between eight and 11, helping them understand more about technology early in their education and to encourage more children from diverse backgrounds consider STEM subjects.

Last year, almost half of all participating students were female and 6% were Indigenous children. Around 80% of those who took part said they would now choose a future STEM career. BAE Systems Australia invests around $1 million annually in partnerships that support the communities in which it operates.

Government Seeks Opinion on $392 million Industry Fund

The Federal Government has taken another step towards launching the Industry Growth Program (IGP). A discussion paper was released in late June, asking how the program should be designed and operated. The discussion paper is available here, with consultations closing on 30 July 2023.

The IGP will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to turn ideas into real products and businesses, particularly through earlier high-risk and highcost phases.

The program will target priority areas under the Government’s landmark $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund including: value-add in agriculture, forestry and fisheries; value-add in resources; transport; medical science; renewables and low emission technologies; defence capability; and enabling capabilities.

The program will help transform industry in Australia by providing expert business advice and matched grant funding to support enterprises to increase revenue, grow their workforce and attract investment.

Ed Husic, said, “We are laying strong foundations for future economic growth and job creation through our $392 million Industry Growth Program. This is about supporting companies to navigate the difficult aspects of getting ideas to market. We’re particularly keen to help bridge the ‘valley of death’ – where great ideas, often backed by solid research, are hamstrung only by a lack of funding and expertise. This consultation is about creating the right conditions to ensure brilliant Australian entrepreneurs can grow and thrive here at home.”

Austal Australia Delivers Fifth Cape Class Patrol Boat to RAN

Austal Australia has delivered the fifth of eight Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats to the Royal Australian Navy. The vessel, ADV Cape Woolamai was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia on 22 June 2023.

Austal Chief Executive Officer, Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the fifth Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat again highlights Austal’s proven shipbuilding capabilities, efficiency and productivity from the Henderson, Western Australia shipyard. “With the delivery of every Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat, Austal is demonstrating the capacity, capability, and expertise to construct naval vessels for Australia to the highest quality, efficiently.”

“This latest vessel, the ADV Cape Woolamai, is the fifth we have delivered in just 15 months. We’re launching and delivering a new patrol boat every three months, following approximately 12 months construction.”

The 58m aluminium monohull patrol boat is the fifth of eight to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy since the project commenced in May 2020.

Western Australia Moves Towards Green Steel Production

Western Australia has joined South Australia in ambitions to create a green steel manufacturing capability, with the release of a new report by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA).

The Western Australia’s Green Steel Opportunity report maps five ways WA iron ore can be used to reduce emissions from steelmaking:

• Green iron ore mining and export using renewable energy sources

• Green iron pellets production using renewable hydrogen

• Hot Briquetted Iron production using hydrogen to make the pellets and natural gas processes for HBI

• Hot Briquetted Iron production using green hydrogen instead of natural gas

• The domestic production of green steel using fully renewable energy solutions.

However the MRIWA report found that the levelised cost of green steel compared to steel made with fossil fuel was significantly higher.