By Marcus Uhe
State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy joined Gembrook MP Brad Battin and State Liberal candidate for Pakenham David Farrelly for a tour of APT Advanced Manufacturing in Berwick’s facilities on Wednesday 29 June.
APT managing director Richard Weinzierl showcased their machinery and production lines which produce precision components and assemblies from their Intrepid Street factory.
Among the products manufactured by APT are munitions and components for Australian Defence Force equipment, such as rifles, the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone, the Hawkei Light Protected Vehicle and Collins class submarines.
In December last year, the Liberal Nationals made a $2.5 billion commitment through the Rebuilding Jobs, Bringing Manufacturing Home program, to support the manufacturing industry following two years of complications due to Covid-19.
Defence, transport and aerospace technologies, produced by APT, is one industry identified as a priority area of strategic importance by the opposition, along with rare earth and mineral processing, food, fibre and beverages, health and medicine.
The program will also establish a Manufacturing Excellence Taskforce to shape Victoria’s Manufacturing Strategy, and allocate $1 billion to initiatives in regional Victoria.
Mr Guy said the program would make Victoria the “manufacturing engine room” of the country once again.
“By making Victoria’s largest ever investment in manufacturing, we will deliver meaningful careers for workers, opportunity for business and hope for local communities,” Mr Guy said.
“This investment means certainty Victorian small business, families, workers and communities to rebuild and recover with confidence.”
