The Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) proposed in a submission to the federal government’s consultation on the Modern Manufacturing Strategy roadmaps that Australian medical technology should be prioritised.
The $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy (MMS) is a key part of the government’s JobMaker plan which aims to harness Australia’s manufacturing capability to increase competitiveness, build scale and boost the country’s resilience.
ATSE said priority must go to targeted support and investment in Australian medical technology, including in digital health records, on the MMS Roadmaps.
ATSE maintained that it shares the Strategy’s vision to be recognised as a high quality, sustainable manufacturing nation, and argues that targeted and strategic investment in technology would catalyse this transformation.
ATSE’s submission further highlights the four areas of the Strategy where Australia’s established global credibility, competence, skills capability and natural advantage could be swiftly leveraged to create jobs and economic growth.
These areas are medical products, recycling and clean energy, resources technology and critical minerals processing and food and beverage.
ATSE said the digitisation of health records is a critical priority in Australian health technology, which was revealed in the academy’s report on technology readiness in the healthcare sector. According to them, support is also needed to improve the commercialisation pathways of all Australian-designed medical technology.
On recycling and clean energy, ATSE said they should be given their own dedicated streams in the MMS. According to the academy, their incoming new technology readiness report on the waste management and resource recovery sector will show that strategic investment in this sector would help SMEs adopt new technologies to help Australia transition towards a waste-free future.
The report is due on 18 November 2020.
On clean energy technology, ATSE said that Australia should focus on long-term and resilient solutions, including low and zero emissions electricity.
In the submission, the academy cautioned that while innovating and creating new industries are needed to recover from the pandemic, the MMS should also continue to support existing manufacturing.
Source: The Academy of Technology and Engineering