Federal Minister for Industry and Science Ian Macfarlane announced Mr Nelson’s appointment on 19 March 2015. Mr Nelson gave way to former Woodside Executive Director and Executive Vice President, Corporate and Commercial Robert Cole on 10 March 2015.
The Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Growth Centre will be one of five industry growth centres.
“All five of the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Centres will begin building new links between businesses and researchers to boost Australian industry’s international competitiveness and enhance our areas of competitive strength, with the announcement today of Chair appointments for the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Growth Centre and the Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Growth Centre,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“Dr Bronwyn Evans, CEO of Standards Australia, will chair the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Growth Centre and Mr Reg Nelson, Adviser to Beach Energy, will chair the Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Growth Centre.
“These two well qualified and highly respected industry representatives join the previous announced chairs of the other three Industry Growth Centres.”
Mr Macfarlane said the $188.5 million industry growth centres initiative is the cornerstone of the Australian Government’s strategy to guide industry into a new era of growth, investment and jobs, by focusing on areas in which Australia has an edge over its competitors.
“Australian industry is undergoing a significant transition to a new era, moving from traditional manufacturing to higher value-added and export-focused production. The government has a suite of policies to assist with the transition, and to grasp the new opportunities for Australia to get ahead of the pack and press our competitive edge in an evolving international economy.
“The growth centres will encourage greater collaboration between Australian businesses in the sectors where we’ve already got a strong foothold, and where we have the best prospects of future excellence. The growth centres will also tap into the experience and practical know-how of successful Australian businesses and will work to boost Australia’s low rate of collaboration between businesses and research institutions.”
Mr Macfarlane said the various Chairs will now begin work with key stakeholders in their industry sectors to develop a proposal for their respective growth centres, including consideration of locations.
The previously announced Chairs of the other industry growth centres are:
- Mr Andrew Stevens, Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre;
- Ms Elizabeth Lewis-Gray, Chair of the Mining Equipment, Technology and Services Growth Centre; and,
- Mr Peter Schutz, Chair of the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre.