Quest Events, with the support of the Federal Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, will hold an Industrial Internet Summit in Sydney on February 16 and 17 2017 at the SMC Conference and Function Centre, with the minister for industry, innovation and science, Greg Hunt, provisionally scheduled to deliver the keynote speech on the topic: “What is the Australian Government doing to set the nation on the right path to fully capitalise on the Industrial Internet of Things?”
In the promotional brochure for the event Hunt notes that the Industrial Internet is driving the fourth wave of the industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) and says manufacturing remains important to the Australian economy.
“The Turnbull Government is determined to support the manufacturing industry in its efforts to harness the opportunities created by technological innovation,” Hunt says, adding: “The Prime Minister’s Industry 4.0 Taskforce was established to connect Australia to global industrial leaders and lead Australian efforts to transition manufacturing to an Industry 4.0 future. Successful adoption of Industry 4.0 will drive business efficiencies, boost productivity and enable Australian advanced manufacturing to remain globally competitive.
This is welcome news as we have previously remarked on what seemed to be lack of awareness of the importance of industry 4.0 from the Australian Government. In an address to the Australian Technology Network’s Advanced Manufacturing Forum in October 2015, Hunt’s then newly appointed predecessor, Christopher Pyne made no mention of it whatsoever.
However we were unable to find any reference to this body on his department’s web site and only passing references in unrelated documents anywhere in the .gov.au domain. We have sought information from his department.
On a more positive note, a presentation on day one from John Pollaers, chairman of the Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council, entitled The Prime Minister’s Industry 4.0 Taskforce – supporting Australia’s transition to the fourth industrial revolution, promises to provide information on: exploring the industry taskforce’s approach to help pave the way for the development of a digitalised economy; and on creating the right regulatory and interoperability frameworks to stimulate investment and adoption.
Full details of the summit can be found at http://www.iiotsummit.com.au. Registration costs $1995.00 including GST or $1795 if you get in before 2 December.
