Industry continues to be driven by innovation says Senator Carr

12 Sep '07

3 min read

Playing on a parody of the legendary Sky Hooks song that anyone over 40 remembers, Senator Kim Carr, the Australian Labor Party's Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research, assured a gathering of the said age group at the recent TTNA annual conference that a “policy for industry was not a dirty word”.

Courageously entering territory where few politicians dare to tread, Senator Carr promised to deliver an industry policy based squarely on innovation if Labor were to be elected.

Taking the brief from another, lesser known Skyhooks song, “Over the Border”, the TTNA conference was held in Albury within a stone's throw of the once mighty Murray.

Addressing delegates over breakfast at the conference, Senator Carr said that Labor's aim is to revitalize mature industries in order to ensure emerging industries can develop and flourish. “Textiles, Clothing and Fashion (TCF) is not dead – I say that the sector has an exciting future.”

Technical and nonwoven textiles represent a booming success story in this country. The industry employs 13 per cent of the total TCF employment and its share in terms of dollars is even more significant.

The industry has been and will continue to be driven by innovation, which the Senator claimed is high on Labor's agenda. “It is not just a good idea to encourage and promote innovation; it is a critical part of boosting productivity."

"In short, generating and implementing new technology and business processes is a critical part of building and maintaining a growing, competitive economy."

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