Manufacturing's contribution to GDP in Australia peaked in the late 1950s and into the 60s when it was near 30 per cent. Now it has shrunk to about 5.5 per cent. The manufacturing sector could be a major employer again if it is encouraged to grow. Most of the 926,000 workers in the sector are employed by small to medium enterprises with fewer than 20 employees. New technologies such as digital drawing, robotics and 3D printing, as well as widespread shutdown of global supply chains caused by COVID-19, are making growth possible.Australia, for example, is the largest producer of lithium in the world and exports it in its raw form. Lithium is worth about $US750 a tonne in its raw form but if manufactured into batteries would be worth about $US150,000 a tonne.
Researchers in Australia have devised a test that can determine novel coronavirus infection in about 20 minutes using blood samples in what they say is a world-first breakthrough.The researchers at Monash University said their test can determine if someone is currently infected and if they have been infected in the past.A patent for the innovation has been filed and the researchers are seeking commercial and government support to scale up production.https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2020-07-17/australian-researchers-invent-20-minute-coronavirus-blood-test
Film and television productions will be lured to Australia with $400 million in cash grants in a federal plan to capitalise on the country's low rate of coronavirus infections compared to other countries.The Morrison government will offer the new incentive on top of existing tax breaks after attracting films such as Thor: Love and Thunder, Godzilla Versus Kong and Monster Problems.Hopefully there will be more variety in new productions.https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/funding-to-attract-hollywood-blockbusters-to-australia-during-covid-19-20200716-p55ct2.html
The main thoroughfare leading to one of Sydney's most popular beaches could be closed off to traffic for a pop-up entertainment precinct under a creative proposal.Randwick City Council is considering scrapping part of Coogee Bay Rd of cars to allow bands, dining, drinking and family activities to occupy the space as part of a plan to kickstart the local economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.The video shows a band at one of the Council's annual fairs that could play, with now appropriate social distancing https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/coogee-s-main-street-could-oust-traffic-for-entertainment-20200716-p55csr.html
