Manufacturers in the Moreton Bay Region are being called on to influence a 10-year roadmap to create the jobs of tomorrow, boost exports and diversify our local economy.

State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan MP, said he wanted businesses in our community to be part of the Palaszczuk Government’s vision for advanced manufacturing, outlined in a discussion paper released last week.

“Advanced manufacturing is the state’s third biggest employer of full-time workers and the number of high-value, highly-skilled jobs is set to increase, especially in an area like Moreton Bay,” Mr Ryan said.

“It’s up to our local manufacturers to share what they know and what would work for them to expand our advanced manufacturing capacity.”

Local manufacturers have until 24 March 2016 to contribute their thoughts on the advanced manufacturing discussion paper. This will help develop the roadmap, which is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $180 million Advance Queensland program.

“We know our economy has been battered by low international commodity prices and the drought,” Mr Ryan said.

“That’s posing challenges for businesses everywhere, but sectors like advanced manufacturing offer Queensland a chance to diversify and create new jobs.

“If we can create more sophisticated, cutting-edge manufacturing businesses and capability it will mean more export opportunities and protection from the vagaries of international commodity markets.”

Export opportunities in field like medical instruments and pharmaceutical products are covered in the discussion paper, along with growth in renewable energy and technology.

It also examines Queensland’s small business sector, competition from China and skills shortages from an ageing workforce.

Queensland’s manufacturing sector contributed more than $20 billion to the state’s economy in 2014-15.

Download the discussion paper.

Read more about advanced manufacturing.