A manufacturing program supporting critical industries in Western Sydney is the latest item on the Albanese Government’s chopping block, with the new Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic confirming he is considering axeing the program.

The $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI), announced under the Coalition Government in 2020, provided funding for projects that help manufacturers to scale up and create jobs in key industries, including:

• Defence, space and national security
• Recycling and clean energy
• Food security and processing
• Medical Products

Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said funding that had already been delivered to successful Western Sydney businesses under Round 2 of the program was now at risk of being clawed back.

“More than a month into a government review of the MMI, grant recipients, including three companies in Western Sydney who produce vital medical and defence products, are still in the dark as to the status of the program,” Senator Payne said.

“With strong economic headwinds, the Western Sydney business community is looking to the federal government for leadership but instead all they are seeing from the Albanese Government is cuts to job-creating programs.

“We’ve already seen the highly successful Australian 5G Innovation Initiative removed by the government, which had dedicated funding for projects in Western Sydney, so it’s clear that Labor is targeting our region.

“Local Labor MPs need to explain whether they support continuing the MMI and the jobs and economic investment that this successful program is already creating.

“We need to see more investment in Western Sydney, Australia’s third largest economy, not less.”