PM tours Volvo Group Australia

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has underlined the importance of local manufacturing and supply chain during a recent visit to Volvo Group Australia's production facility in Queensland.

The Prime Minister toured the site with the Assistant Minister for Road Freight and Safety, Scott Buchholz, along with Minister for Science, Technology and Industry, Karen Andrews, Councillor Sarah Hutton and Volvo Group Australia President and CEO, Martin Merrick.

After inspecting the facility against the backdrop of the new Volvo and Mack truck ranges, Mr Morrison said the Volvo Group Australia showcased the potential of local manufacturing expertise.

"We make things in Australia, and we make them well," he said.

"At the Volvo and Mack factory in Wacol, southwest of Brisbane, they've been proudly making trucks for Australia and beyond for almost 50 years.

"Our new tax incentive for new investment has meant a surge of new orders, which will be keeping these workers at this plant very busy this year.

"Each and every truck that rolls off the assembly line proudly wears the 'Australian made' logo and because of their continued investment they employ more than 1400 people and support 90 local manufacturing suppliers, some of whom I met today.

"Our modern manufacturing strategy is all about supporting business to continue to invest in making things in Australia and ensuring there's a big future for manufacturing in this country."

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VGA President and CEO Martin Merrick too the opportunity to highlight the important role Volvo plays in keeping Australia moving.

"Clearly as you can see here, manufacturing in Australia is alive and well," he said.

"We employ over 1400 people locally with more to come and we are so proud to have made significant investments to build these new trucks here in Australia at this facility.

"Because of this investment we are able to employ more than 1400 people and are able to support 90 local suppliers. We spend more than $400 million in the local supply chain every year. And our intention is to increase that local investment in the future.

"Aside from the challenges that the world has faced in recent times one thing that has been reinforced here in Australia has been the importance of both road transport and truckies. Supply chains don't just feed industry, they feed society."

At the conclusion of the press conference, the Prime Minister also took the opportunity to experience the new Volvo FL Electric, which will be undergoing trials with Linfox in coming months.