Joint media release with Prime Minister the Hon Scott Morrison MP and Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction the Hon Angus Taylor MP 

The Morrison Government is securing Australia’s economic recovery by backing businesses to succeed and create jobs with a further $33 million to support Australian made food and beverage companies. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the funding was part of the latest round of the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative. 

“Liberals and Nationals will continue to protect and grow manufacturing jobs to secure Australia’s economic recovery,” the Prime Minister said. 

“More than one million Australians are once again employed in manufacturing and we want businesses to be successful and create even more jobs.” 

“Under Labor, one in eight manufacturing jobs were lost and Australians can’t risk this sort of economic mismanagement as we begin to open up again.”  

Seven Australian companies will share in the funding, which will unlock new manufacturing opportunities, boost production, and create more jobs across the country. 

The investment would boost manufacturing from Kingaroy in the north, to Hobart in the south. 

Food and beverage production is the largest manufacturing sector in Australia, employing one in four manufacturing workers and contributing around $22.4 billion to our economy. 

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said these grants would bolster the thriving food and beverage sector and unlock further significant investment from the sector. 

“This funding will help some of the most innovative producers leverage technology to increase their production, while meeting growing export demand and creating new local jobs,” Minister Taylor said.

“Not only will this funding help maximise the agricultural advantages we enjoy, but it will also help regional Australia and the supply chains that operate throughout it.”

Assistant Minister for Industry Development and Senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam congratulated Sullivans Cove Distillery on receiving funding that will help take its production to the next level and further showcase Brand Tasmania.

“This significant investment is proof that food and beverage innovation is alive and well in Tasmania,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.

“The Sullivans Cove facility is expected to increase the workforce by approximately 40 per cent as well as provide opportunities to upskill at least 15 existing employees. 

“With help from the Australian Government, this project will deliver employment opportunities for local people right here in Tasmania, as well as an estimated 24 indirect jobs throughout the supply chain. 

“I look forward to seeing the success of this project and the job opportunities it will help create for the Tasmanian community.”

The MMI is the centrepiece of the Government’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy, designed to position Australia as a globally recognised, high-quality and sustainable manufacturing nation.

Food and Beverage is the fourth stream of funding across priority areas identified under the MMI, and follows $100 million invested in Space, Medical Products, and Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing announced in July. Funding across the remaining areas of Recycling and Defence will be announced soon.

To learn more about the Strategy and the MMI visit www.industry.gov.au/manufacturing 

Media contact: Assistant Minister Duniam's office 02 6277 3034