Good morning, it’s great to be here this morning.
I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we’re meeting on today, Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal Nation, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Firstly, congratulations to i3Net CEO Bianca Perry and her incredible team, as well as major sponsor BlueScope with the support of Dave Scott for all of their work putting this event together.
A sold-out 14th Showcase says something powerful about advanced manufacturing in the Illawarra. For generations, this region has made things, solved practical problems and adapted as the world changed – from steel making and heavy industry, to research, engineering and clean energy technology.
Right now, industry is facing two major transitions at once: the energy transformation, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.
Both bring real challenges. Both also bring extraordinary opportunities for regions like ours, where industrial capability, skilled workers, research expertise and entrepreneurial ambition already sit side by side.
That is why I am so proud of the work happening here in the Illawarra.
Companies like Hysata, Sicona, Green Gravity, Gravitas, Gridsight and many others are developing technologies that will shape the next generation of energy, transport and heavy industry, creating sovereign supply chains and revolutionising clean energy globally.
Hysata is a great example – from University of Wollongong research to commercialising the revolutionary hydrogen electrolyser technology, backed by the Albanese Government through ARENA and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
Hysata has secured their first international order, and employed their 120th employee – proving this investment has been wisely spent as they continue to flourish.
Sicona is another UOW success story. Its battery technology will be essential for electric vehicles, improving battery performance, cutting charging time by 40 per cent, and creating sovereign supply chains.
With $45 million under the Battery Breakthrough Initiative, the Albanese Labor Government is helping Sicona scale that work here by 300 times, creating skilled manufacturing jobs and proving Australia can make high-value products.
These are the kinds of advanced manufacturing Australia needs: technology developed locally, backed by local workers and know-how, and capable of decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like steel and heavy transport.
A Future Made in Australia is designed to back our strengths, build resilient supply chains, attract private investment, and make sure the jobs and benefits of the energy transition are shared in places like the Illawarra.
That is also why I have been so determined to take the Illawarra’s story beyond our region.
Earlier this year, I held our second Made in the Illawarra: Innovation, Energy and Manufacturing Expo in Parliament House, with the University of Wollongong, bringing industry, researchers and community leaders together to show national and international decision-makers what this region can do.
We had strong interest from some of the Ambassadors, High Commissioners and their staff we invited along who could see the incredible work happening across our region.
That interest was so strong that just last month I hosted a delegation of embassy representatives for a tour of our local industry — and the feedback was outstanding.
The delegation visited the University of Wollongong, Sicona, Hysata, Green Gravity and Port Kembla Harbour, hosted by the Port Authority of NSW.
In fact, one embassy was so impressed that they are returning this week for a second visit.
Putting the Illawarra to the global stage once again.
In another example of the world taking notice of our region, Green Gravity is currently hosting two Danish post-graduate students who have chosen Wollongong, out of everywhere in the world, to undertake their study tour.
They chose Wollongong because of its unique position in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Advanced manufacturing is also being shaped by the opportunities and challenges of AI.
For manufacturers, AI can help design better products, predict maintenance, improve quality control, cut waste, manage energy use and make workplaces safer.
And it can boost the production capabilities of small and medium manufacturers, supporting them to make their mark in competitive global markets.
But it must be adopted safely, ethically and responsibly. Workers need skills and support as jobs change, businesses need reliable, safe and secure systems, and communities need confidence that new technologies enhance human expertise rather than replace human judgement.
That is why government has a role: not to hold innovation back, but to make sure AI is adopted safely, responsibly and in the national interest.
That’s where the AI Safety Institute comes in, and I’m really impressed by the work of Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, Andrew Charlton in this space in particular.
We’re working to shape AI development in our interest, and I’m interested to hear what those in the room have to say about where we are now, and where we are headed.
The Illawarra is well placed to lead because we understand both sides of this transition: the practical reality of industry, and the importance of innovation being trusted by workers, businesses and communities.
So thank you to everyone here today — for the work you do, the jobs you create, the skills you build, and the confidence you continue to show in our region.
With our industrial strength, clean energy potential, research capability and skilled workforce, the future of manufacturing can be made right here.
Together, we can be at the forefront of the Future Made in Australia – and the Future Made in the Illawarra.
