NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced changes to the NSW Ministry that will boost the Government’s focus on skills, domestic manufacturing and the importance of TAFE to regional NSW.
Minister for Finance and Minister for Natural Resources, Courtney Houssos, MLC was sworn in to the new, additional portfolio of Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement.
Former Minister in the previous Labor Government and Member for Monaro, Steve Whan, was sworn in as the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education.
“From February 2011 to February 2023, NSW lost 71,000 manufacturing jobs,” Mrs Houssos said following the announcement.
“We need to build things here again and we need to build things that work. Around the globe, countries are focused on rebuilding their local capacity. This includes with direct spending through government procurement, but also getting the policy settings right to encourage broader investment.
“I am excited to be working with my new Ministerial colleague, Steve Whan on end-to-end policy and delivery solutions to boost skills, jobs and local manufacturing.”
The changes to the Ministry underscore the NSW Government’s commitment to domestic manufacturing and build the pipeline of skilled workers to drive productivity and jobs in NSW.
As part of the 2023-24 Budget, the Government has committed $9.8 billion to build new and upgraded schools and other educational facilities. The budget also included an additional $112.0 million to meet the TAFE funding shortfall and 1,000 extra apprentices across the NSW Government by 2026 at a cost of $93.5 million.
The new portfolio of Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement will drive the return to domestic manufacturing and building things here again, using Government procurement power to boost local jobs.
The 2023-24 Budget will kickstart this effort with $43 million for seven new Australian-made Parramatta River Class ferries and $71.1 million to return Freshwater Class ferries to the Circular Quay-Manly route.
