Mandurah-based developers have been given a boost to go global, thanks to a $519,245 innovation grant from the federal government. 

Segnut Pty Ltd has developed a faster, safer fastening system with significant potential for the global industrial market. The nut design consists of an inner section with three segments, held captive by an outer sleeve. When the outer sleeve is turned in the tightening direction, the Segnut releases from the bolt and falls away. 

“An innovative product like this is further evidence of the good things coming out of the Peel region,” Mr Hastie said. 

“Segnut’s design is significantly safer for workers doing heavy industrial maintenance as it eliminates the need for oxy-cutting and other dangerous equipment. The increased efficiency it offers to maintenance will also mean significant savings for business.” 

Segnut is one of eleven businesses to be offered $5 million in commercialisation grants announced by Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Craig Laundy under the Accelerating Commercialisation element of the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme. 

“These grants will help the recipients to conduct commercialisation activities, proving the viability of their products, processes or services and preparing them for domestic and international markets,” Mr Laundy said. 

“The businesses will also back themselves by matching the grant funding dollar-for-dollar, and the programme’s experienced Commercialisation Advisers will help them navigate this often challenging stage of product development.” 

“Accelerating Commercialisation grants have already supported hundreds of projects across a wide range of industry sectors, and with Australian Government support, many are already achieving success in global markets.” 

To date, the Entrepreneurs’ Programme has provided 264 businesses with commercialisation grants totalling $133.6 million.

Andrew Hastie MP has announced that retrenched workers in Mandurah will be eligible for assistance from the $10.3 million Stronger Transitions Package. 

Mr Hastie said that Mandurah had been identified as one of five key regional areas Australia-wide that could access the package, which will focus on preparing workers in transitioning industries for jobs beyond their current employment. 

“If workers do face retrenchment, the government will ensure there is support ready for them. That includes training and skills transitioning services, intensive jobactive support, relocation options and access to small business opportunities.” Mr Hastie said. 

Mr Hastie said that support would begin prior to a worker’s retrenchment date and continue for months afterwards to ensure their transition is as smooth as possible. 

“Work confers dignity and gives purpose. This package is about saying to workers in Mandurah: the federal government has your back. We support you.” 

Minister Michaela Cash, Minister for Employment said that from 1 July 2018, retrenched workers will receive targeted support to help them move into their next job. 

“The Australian Government is offering additional support because evidence from the automotive industry shows that helping people before they are retrenched better prepares them to move to their next job, including the jobs of the future,” Minister Cash said. 

“Stronger Transitions will help workers back into employment, with elements of the support package based on the highly successful automotive industry Growth Fund model where government and business worked together to connect workers with new opportunities.” 

In addition to Mandurah, support will be made available in Adelaide, North Queensland, North/North-West Tasmania and Melbourne North/West.

Today’s opening of the Mandurah Trades Skills Centre at Coodanup Community College is a step toward growing employment opportunities in the Peel region.

Under the Trade Training Centres in Schools Program, the federal government has contributed $3,285,000 to help transition local students from school into the workforce and on to careers.

Member for Canning Andrew Hastie welcomed the Training Centre, speaking of Mandurah’s need to equip students with high quality vocational skills.

“It is great to be here and to see the federal government’s vision for vocational training become a reality in Coodanup,” Mr Hastie said.

“We’re going through a time of technological change. That means much of our economy will be digitalised and service based, but we still need to train our youth for the nuts and bolts practical jobs that won’t disappear. 

“The Centre will equip students with the real world skills they need to get a job in our transitioning economy,” said the Member for Canning.

Mr Hastie welcomed the Centre’s inclusion of painting and construction workshops.

“There are communities right across Australia that are facing skill shortages in trades like painting, plumbing and carpentry.

“So the skills that students will develop at the Mandurah Trades Skills Centre will not only benefit Coodanup, they will be skills that could potentially put them on a pathway for jobs in industries anywhere in Australia.

“I congratulate the entire school community for its foresight in getting this centre up and running,” he said.

Federal Member for Canning Andrew Hastie has urged organisations to apply for Round Two of the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), with applications now open for funding to support further job creation and economic growth in regional and rural Australia.

Mr Hastie said the Peel region had already benefitted from Round One, with $3 million delivered towards the Shire of Murray’s Dwellingup Trails Hub and Quambie Park’s Waroona Housing Options Village.

“The Shires of Murray and Waroona put considerable effort into their submissions, and it’s great to see the Peel region will benefit as a result of their advocacy.

“Job creation is a priority, and this program will bring local jobs for local residents. It will deliver jobs in construction, tourism and health care, and boost local businesses,” said the Member for Canning. 

Andrew Hastie also said he was pleased to note that more rural towns in the Peel region are eligible in Round Two.

“This decision recognises the rural character of the Peel region. While we have urban areas, particularly in the City of Mandurah, we are largely a rural region. This fund is designed to build economic growth in rural parts of Australia,” said Mr Hastie.

“The Shire of Murray will now be able to include projects in towns such as Coolup, Nambeelup, Pinjarra, Fairbridge and North Dandalup. The City of Mandurah has also benefited with rural areas such as Parklands, Clifton and Herron now included in the eligible area.

“The City of Mandurah can apply for funding for projects in high-density urban areas that are ineligible, so long as they demonstrate that the project will benefit the Peel region,” he said. 

“I’ve already met with the Shires of Murray and Serpentine-Jarrahdale to discuss their priority projects, so now is the time to make these ideas a reality. With submissions closing on 19 December 2017 for both streams, I encourage all eligible organisations to get their application in,” said Mr Hastie.

Strong advocacy for the Peel region has been vindicated today, with the announcement that two major local projects have won funding through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).

Member for Canning Andrew Hastie today announced that the expansion of Quambie Park Waroona and the Dwellingup National Trails Centre will become reality, with almost $3 million to be awarded to the two projects. 

“This is a great result and evidence that the strong grassroots advocacy of the Peel region is being heard in Canberra,” Mr Hastie said.

“I’ve been working for some time with Shire of Murray President Cr Maree Reid and CEO Dean Unsworth on the Dwellingup Trails Centre. I’ve also worked with Quambie Park CEO Nicole Gibbs, Chairperson Mike Walmsley and Board members on the Waroona Housing Options Village. We’re all very excited to see these projects get up.”

 “Both of these projects are worthy recipients of BBRF funding that will service and strengthen our local communities.”

The Turnbull Government today announces funding for an Employment Facilitator for the Mandurah region in Western Australia to provide intensive support to local residents to help find employment or training opportunities.

Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash and Federal Member for Canning, Andrew Hastie MP said the Employment Facilitator for Mandurah will be critical in helping those affected by the transitioning West Australian economy.

“The people of Mandurah are incredibly resilient, but we recognise that the community requires extra assistance to negotiate the transition period,” Minister Cash said.

“The Coalition believes the best form of welfare is a job however we also recognise that the Peel region requires additional, targeted assistance - we are ensuring this on-the-ground support is delivered.”

Mandurah has continued to show a high degree of labour market disadvantage, with an unemployment rate that has increased from 9.7 per cent in April 2016 to 10.3 per cent in April 2017, well above the national rate of 5.7 per cent.

The role of the Employment Facilitator will be to work with local jobactive providers, employers and training services to ensure workers have the skills they need to re-enter the workforce and provide them with opportunities for retraining and further education.

Federal Member for Canning, Mr Andrew Hastie MP, said he looked forward to the appointment and hoped that local workers would take advantage of the Facilitator’s local knowledge and experience.

“An Employment Facilitator will be a very valuable and accessible on-the ground resource for the people of Mandurah,” Mr Hastie said.

“The Government’s immediate priority is to ensure local workers affected by Western Australia’s transitioning economy receive fast, comprehensive support to get back into the workforce as quickly as possible."

An Employment Facilitator will be appointed from 1 August 2017 for three years, with a tender process now underway to find a suitable appointee.

The Employment Facilitator will join other Department of Employment programs in the region, including six jobactive providers, a Work for the Dole coordinator, and a Transition to Work provider.