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In this episode, Louise McGrath and Dr Jeffrey Wilson unpack a new report by the Australian Industry Group titled Trade, Tariffs and Supply Chains. The report explores the impact of recent trade tariffs on Australian industries, and the hosts delve into the strategies businesses are adopting to manage ongoing supply chain disruptions. They also highlight the critical need to strengthen Australia’s engagement with Asia, including improving language education and cultural literacy, to unlock greater trade opportunities in the region. 

Key Takeaways 

  • Trade tariffs have introduced uncertainty, influencing investment decisions across Australian industries. 
  • Supply chain disruptions remain a major concern for manufacturers, exacerbated by tariff-related pressures.
  • Australian manufacturers are increasingly investing in digital logistics technologies to improve resilience. 
  • The concept of “grey tape” refers to indirect regulatory burdens that complicate business operations. 
  • Asian language education in Australia is in decline, posing a challenge to regional engagement. 
  • Cultural literacy is vital for building meaningful connections with Asian markets. 
  • The New Colombo Plan is a promising initiative for fostering ties with Asia, but further efforts are needed.

Contact the Industry Development & Policy team here.

 

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Louise McGrath

In her role as Australian Industry Group’s Head of Industry Development and Policy Louise provides strategic leadership and guidance for Australian Industry Group’s policy agenda in building competitive industries through global integration, infrastructure development and innovation. She ensures that through policy leadership members have a voice at all levels of government, by representing and promoting their interests on current and emerging issues.

Louise represents Australian Industry in several multilateral forums, such as the B20 Taskforces, Global Business Coalition, and the East Asia Business Council working group on RCEP. She advocates for the interests of Australian Industry Group members during Free Trade Negotiations and translates those agreements to support the strategic aims of members. She is a member of CSIRO’s Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence Think Tank and the Manufacturing Advisory Group, the NESP Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub and the Advisory Group of The Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS).

Louise has studied a Bachelor of Arts (Arabic Language and Culture) at Deakin University and an Advanced Diploma in International Trade at RMIT. She has also studied Arabic at universities in Jordan and Egypt.

    Dr Jeffrey Wilson

    Jeffrey Wilson is Head of Research and Economics at the Australian Industry Group.

    He leads our economics team and provides strategic direction in developing the research program to support our advocacy, service delivery and policy activities.

    Dr Wilson specialises in international economic policy, with a focus on how trade and investment shape the Australian business environment.

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