Our Strong Australia Western Sydney: Frontier Economy Forum took place on Wednesday 21 September 2022, in partnership with Business Western Sydney and Sky News.

Moderated by Sky News’ Chief News Anchor Kieran Gilbert and broadcast on Sky News, the Western Sydney: Frontier Economy Forum brought together two outstanding panels to showcase Western Sydney as a frontier economy – an ecosystem where business and skills innovation is driving higher wages, higher living standards and a high growth environment.

Panel One:

Western Sydney as a frontier economy: what are the skills, industries and opportunities needed to place Western Sydney at the forefront of Australian innovation?

David Borger, Executive Director of Business Western Sydney, Professor Andy Marks from Western Sydney University, and Dr Andrew Charlton MP, Federal Member for Parramatta joined Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott AO for a discussion about the projects, people and plans that are shaping the future of Western Sydney.  Watch the video below to explore how industry, higher education, and government are working together to position Western Sydney at the epicentre of innovation, job creation and skilling Australians for future industries:

Panellists:
David Borger, Executive Director, Business Western Sydney
Professor Andy Marks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Western Sydney University
Dr Andrew Charlton, Federal Member for Parramatta
Jennifer Westacott AO, Chief Executive, Business Council of Australia

Panel Two:

From Sefton to space: a case study of big and small businesses leading Australia’s advanced manufacturing charge.

BCA Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott was joined by GE Australia’s Country Leader, Sam Maresh, Romar Engineering’s Head of Advanced Manufacturing, Steve Milanoski, and Deloitte Private Partner, Andrea Culligan to shine a light on Western Sydney’s role as an advanced manufacturing hub.

The panel examined how GE and Romar Engineering’s collaboration is revolutionising futuristic technologies used across financial services, medical technology and the aviation sector, and the policy settings needed to continue to unlock Western Sydney’s future:

Panelists:
Sam Maresh, Country Leader, GE
Steve Milanoski, Head of Advanced Manufacturing, Romar Engineering
Andrea Culligan, Partner- Innovation, Ventures and Ecosystems Lead,  Deloitte Private
Jennifer Westacott AO, Chief Executive, Business Council of Australia

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