❓ State economy—Technological innovation 355. Mr Yaz Mubarakai to the Premier: I refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to ensure that Western Australia remains the strongest economy in the nat
AnsweredQoN 355Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
State economy—Technological innovation
355. Mr Yaz Mubarakai to
the Premier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to ensure that Western Australia remains the
strongest economy in the nation.
Can
the Premier outline to the house how the government is supporting the
development of new and emerging industries, and advise the house how this
innovation is helping improve and diversify the Western Australian economy?
355. Mr Yaz Mubarakai to
the Premier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to ensure that Western Australia remains the
strongest economy in the nation.
Can
the Premier outline to the house how the government is supporting the
development of new and emerging industries, and advise the house how this
innovation is helping improve and diversify the Western Australian economy?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for Oakford for his question and I take the opportunity, Mr Speaker, to wish
the Attorney General happy birthday.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Thank you, Premier. Members! Carry on,
Premier.
Mr Roger Cook: Members will recall that yesterday in
this chamber I remarked on the incredible technological advances in the
resources industry. Because of the scale of the resources industry, we have a thriving
ecosystem of local businesses and innovators. The skills, experience and expertise
generated within the resources industry are indispensable. There is also an
incredible opportunity to leverage those strengths and work to transfer them across
to other sectors of our economy. It is an important part of diversifying the
Western Australian economy. The local brainpower of workers that offers so much
to mining can offer much to other sectors as well, whether that is in
agriculture, space industries, clean energy, manufacturing or defence.
On defence, take local
Bassendean business Hofmann Engineering as a great example. Hofmann Engineering
began in 1969 with two brothers working out of their backyard. It now employs
hundreds of people. Mr Speaker, I am very proud to say that it has become an
integral supplier to a range of sectors across the world, obviously including
locally made initiatives such as Metronet. Today marks a new milestone for the
business. Hofmann Engineering has been given the green light to help build US
Navy aircraft carriers. In doing so, it becomes the first business in Australia to be approved to supply parts
for strategic US Navy assets and brings it one step closer to breaking into
the US nuclear-powered submarine supply chain market.
It is a major win
for Western Australia's defence industry and follows funding and advocacy from
the WA Labor government and the Minister for Defence Industries, Hon Paul
Papalia, in particular, with global shipbuilders to use local WA suppliers. Our
funding program has helped four other WA businesses advance towards achieving
strict US approvals, and they include Dobbie, Marine Technicians Australia,
Pressure Dynamics and VEEM.
Mr Speaker,
localising the manufacture of high-end products in WA's defence industry is
just one aspect of our diversification journey, but there are other great examples.
Right now, WA is hosting defence officials from around the world for the
Submarine Institute of Australia conference. Earlier this week, the Environmental
Protection Authority approved Port Hedland Iron's low-emission processing plant
for hot briquetted steel. The Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation, Hon
Amber-Jade Sanderson, officially opened a pilot plant seeking to crack the code
for the safe transport of hydrogen. Last week the Lodge Wadjemup opened its
doors, adding conferencing and accommodation capacity at Wadjemup, or Rottnest
Island.
Each of these
projects shows faith and confidence in the WA economy, creating great jobs and,
of course, embracing the words "Made in WA". We want WA to remain the
strongest economy in the country. By keeping the economy strong, we can
continue to invest in things that matter and make more things here.
Visitors
The Speaker: I welcome the students and staff from
Dawson Park Primary School in Forrestfield up in the gallery today. Welcome to you
all. It is wonderful to see you here.
for Oakford for his question and I take the opportunity, Mr Speaker, to wish
the Attorney General happy birthday.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Thank you, Premier. Members! Carry on,
Premier.
Mr Roger Cook: Members will recall that yesterday in
this chamber I remarked on the incredible technological advances in the
resources industry. Because of the scale of the resources industry, we have a thriving
ecosystem of local businesses and innovators. The skills, experience and expertise
generated within the resources industry are indispensable. There is also an
incredible opportunity to leverage those strengths and work to transfer them across
to other sectors of our economy. It is an important part of diversifying the
Western Australian economy. The local brainpower of workers that offers so much
to mining can offer much to other sectors as well, whether that is in
agriculture, space industries, clean energy, manufacturing or defence.
On defence, take local
Bassendean business Hofmann Engineering as a great example. Hofmann Engineering
began in 1969 with two brothers working out of their backyard. It now employs
hundreds of people. Mr Speaker, I am very proud to say that it has become an
integral supplier to a range of sectors across the world, obviously including
locally made initiatives such as Metronet. Today marks a new milestone for the
business. Hofmann Engineering has been given the green light to help build US
Navy aircraft carriers. In doing so, it becomes the first business in Australia to be approved to supply parts
for strategic US Navy assets and brings it one step closer to breaking into
the US nuclear-powered submarine supply chain market.
It is a major win
for Western Australia's defence industry and follows funding and advocacy from
the WA Labor government and the Minister for Defence Industries, Hon Paul
Papalia, in particular, with global shipbuilders to use local WA suppliers. Our
funding program has helped four other WA businesses advance towards achieving
strict US approvals, and they include Dobbie, Marine Technicians Australia,
Pressure Dynamics and VEEM.
Mr Speaker,
localising the manufacture of high-end products in WA's defence industry is
just one aspect of our diversification journey, but there are other great examples.
Right now, WA is hosting defence officials from around the world for the
Submarine Institute of Australia conference. Earlier this week, the Environmental
Protection Authority approved Port Hedland Iron's low-emission processing plant
for hot briquetted steel. The Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation, Hon
Amber-Jade Sanderson, officially opened a pilot plant seeking to crack the code
for the safe transport of hydrogen. Last week the Lodge Wadjemup opened its
doors, adding conferencing and accommodation capacity at Wadjemup, or Rottnest
Island.
Each of these
projects shows faith and confidence in the WA economy, creating great jobs and,
of course, embracing the words "Made in WA". We want WA to remain the
strongest economy in the country. By keeping the economy strong, we can
continue to invest in things that matter and make more things here.
Visitors
The Speaker: I welcome the students and staff from
Dawson Park Primary School in Forrestfield up in the gallery today. Welcome to you
all. It is wonderful to see you here.
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