| Small businesses faced with tricky materials technology problems can now receive assistance from the newly established Australian Materials Technology Network (AMTN) to give them access to world-class diagnostic analysis and solutions. Materials technology encompasses all aspects of the production, processing and trouble shooting of materials used in modern manufactured products. Senator Marise Payne, representing the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, today launched the Network at the Materials 2003 conference in Sydney. The Network has been set up with $2.6 million in assistance under the Australian Government’s $3 billion innovation statement, Backing Australia’s Ability. Senator Marise Payne said the Network would provide an invaluable resource for businesses – particularly SMEs – which invariably do not have the service in-house or are stymied by costly outlays to bring in the expertise. “The Network will work closely with companies to act as a conduit to technology for all Australian manufacturing companies regardless of the industry sector they are in,” Senator Marise Payne said. “Our industries are operating in a fast-changing, technology-driven world and for our companies to grow and compete in the world markets, they need to be able to adapt and adopt the latest technology. “The Australian Government, through bodies such as the AMTN, is making sure that gaining access to this information is not an insurmountable challenge.” The Network is made up of five universities – the ANU, the University of NSW, the University of South Australia, Monash, and the University of Queensland – and the Institute of Materials Engineering Australasia Ltd (IMEA), Industry Capability Network (ICN) and an Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Centre at Central TAFE in WA. The consortium has provided more than $10 million in cash and kind to set up the Network. Senator Marise Payne said the Network would deliver materials technology expertise and information to Australian industry to enhance innovation and global competitiveness in new and established industries. “It is an ideal vehicle to link industry, specifically SMEs, to technology resources throughout Australia. It will encourage stronger individual relationships between industry and the institutions where the bulk of the advanced materials infrastructure resides,” Senator Marise Payne said. |