By ANEEKA SIMONIS
IT’S becoming increasingly likely that Monash University’s Berwick campus will be transformed into a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship.
A letter written by the Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham indicates the government is keen on the idea and urged Monash University President Margaret Gardener to consider the “strong community interest” in the proposal as they identify a new provider.
“I would expect this process to include consultation with local community members and exploration of alternative education provision at the campus through other providers,” he wrote.
“There would appear to be strong community interest in a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Treasurer Scott Morrison said he supported growth in the region’s advanced manufacturing and innovation sector during his visit to an Australian Precision Technologies (APT) in Berwick on Thursday 12 May.
Mr Morrison held private discussions about the region’s innovation potential with APT Director Ron Weinzierl, Minister for Small Business and Assistance Treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer and La Trobe MP Jason Wood.
Both Mr Weinzierl and Mr Wood are pushing for the university to be transformed into an innovation centre, to compliment the Turnbull government’s plan for a 200 hectare high-technology business park west of Officer.
Asked whether he would endorse the plan for the university, the Treasurer said the decision was best left in the hands of the Education Minister.
“There are 51 days still left to go in this campaign and these issues Simon Birmingham is looking over closely and consulting with his colleagues but the key thing is you need jobs and need business that will put people in jobs,” Mr Morrison said.
“Jobs are the most important issue in Jason’s electorate and it’s what we are focused on. Every lever of what we are doing as a government is pulling in the direction of growth.”
On budget matters, Mr Weinzierl said the Government’s instant asset write-off initiative for expenses up to $20,000 would boost the company’s technology potential.
“Any incentive to get funds back will free up money to employ more people and invest in new technology. It makes a big difference,” he said.
The manufacturer is part of a major new defence program, providing ammunition and military equipment parts.
Mr Weinzierl expects to increase his workforce by 60 per cent within the next financial year, with provisions for up to 35 engineers to join the high-tech Berwick manufacturer.
Mr Morrison said: “This business is part of the defence industry supply chain and part of the submarine procurement supply chain.”
“Our defence industry plan is to invest in Australian technology… and these high-tech jobs are going to be supported into the future so more people and more trainees will be able to come and support business growth into the future.”
