GSEM seeks Future Made in Australia investment
Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) is calling on the federal government to invest in Melbourne’s southeast region to ensure the government’s $22.7 billion “Future Made in Australia” package is a success.
GSEM Chair Simon McKeon said:
“It is encouraging to see a renewed interest in strategic industry development and support.
“Without this targeted investment from government, Australian industry will not be able to rise to meet global competition.
“We welcome cost of living relief for our communities, increased help for renters, more housing support for vulnerable people and increased investment for housing.
“South East Melbourne is a diverse region that is well placed to play a major role in Future Made in Australia, with world leading universities, innovation centres and manufacturers all together in one place.
“GSEM already effectively brings the public, private and education sectors together in partnership and we want to work with the federal government to make the Future Made in Australia vision a success.
“GSEM is perfectly placed to make the “Future Made in Australia” vision a reality.
“With region-wide contacts and connections already in place, the GSEM region can help boost productivity, improve competition and help secure Australia’s future prosperity.
“We welcome the $437.3 million for suburban road upgrades in the southeastern and northern Melbourne suburbs and look forward to seeing further details of this announcement.
“Jobs and skills remain priority issues for our region.
“Recently we held the GSEM Jobs and Skills Summit. More than 200 attendees and speakers outlined the issues and discussed potential solutions to the region’s jobs and skills challenges.
“That is why we welcome the investment to deliver on immediate skills needs, providing more than $500 million for skills and training in priority industries and to support women's participation in these sectors.
“We hope to work in collaboration with government, industry and education providers to ensure this support goes to where it is needed.
We know one of the challenges in the South East is higher levels of female unemployment.
We welcome the budget investment to support women training in male-dominated industries through $55.6 million for the Building Women’s Careers program and $38.2 million to support diversity in science, technology, engineering, and maths.