Goals and Ambitions for Tasmania in the Asian Century

There are nine realistic goals and ambitions that can be achieved by Tasmania in the Asian century. These goals and ambitions can be delivered by taking a number of pathways and actions that are explained carefully in the White Paper evidence base. None of these goals and ambitions can be achieved independently of the others.

A number of these goals are not new, and many key actions are already underway or under development. Some of these directions will be challenging, some less so, but together they define a comprehensive and interdependent strategy for Tasmania's approach to the Asian century.

1. Increase the size and skill base of Tasmania's workforce

Tasmanian Government strategies already underway to achieve this goal include:

• improving school outcomes through programs such as Launching into Learning and Raising the Bar and raising Year 12 retention rates, particularly in regional areas;
• implementation of the Skills for Work program, including an entitlement to a subsidised Certificate III for every working-age Tasmanian and creation of the new TasTAFE; and
• developing and implementing an Asian Education Strategy through the Department of Education.

In response to the Asian century, the Tasmanian Government will:

• explore the application of innovative methods to improve access to, and the range of, learning choices in Asian studies.

2. Help shape Tasmania's demographic trajectory and address Tasmania's low cultural and economic awareness of Asia

Tasmanian Government strategies already underway to achieve this goal include:

• supporting the University of Tasmania to develop an International Education Strategy that incorporates plans to significantly increase international student enrolments by 2018;
• supporting the efforts of Study Tasmania, including coordinated branding for Tasmania as a unique and first-class study destination in key markets;
• through Government Education and Training International (GETI), attracting Asian international students to Tasmanian schools; and
• supporting social inclusion and the rule of law, and maintaining a welcoming, inclusive and tolerant society.

In response to the Asian century, the Tasmanian Government will:

• develop an integrated communication strategy, which includes community stakeholders and the Australian Government, focused on the potential benefits of the Asian century (in particular through international education, investment, trade, migration and developing cultural understanding), and which engages community stakeholders in shaping Tasmania's future in the Asian century;
• reinvigorate Tasmania's business and skilled migration program, including promoting migration opportunities as part of Tasmania's international business investment and student attraction strategies;
• enhance cooperation with the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) and Australian Government immigration forums to increase the flow of migrants to Tasmania and their retention, including providing input on the development of settlement plans for regional Australia;
• incorporate the integration of Asian migrants and students into Tasmania's multicultural planning and policy framework;
• develop additional strategies to improve the settlement of migrants based on increased collaboration at all levels of government and with peak industry groups, including working with business to maximise the utilisation of the Asian university student and graduate workforce;
• promote education and business partnerships through expanded sister-city relationships in Asia, increasing the number of international Asian students in Tasmanian schools, and through leveraging the Australian Government's Australia Awards (Asian Century); and
• support the University of Tasmania to establish a new Asia Institute to act as a focal point for existing university and broader Tasmanian expertise on Asia and to perform research, education and development activities.

3. Establish Hobart as a world-class international liveable waterfront city, with flow-on benefits for Tasmanians through greater Asian investment, tourism opportunities and improved access to Asian markets

Tasmanian Government strategies already underway to achieve this goal include:

• advancing the redevelopment of the Macquarie Point Development Project and other opportunities identified in the 'Hobart: a world-class liveable waterfront city' vision;
• developing and implementing the 'Hobart Capital City' plan for the integration of efforts in expanding international education, research, public transport and increased inner-city living to facilitate an increase in international migration; and
• through Infrastructure Australia, continuing to support the 'Hobart: a world-class liveable waterfront city' vision.

In response to the Asian century, the Tasmanian Government will:

• work with local government to increase the accessibility of information and services to international students, visitors and migrants based on approaches developed by other Asia-friendly cities, with potential application to other Tasmanian municipalities.

4. Optimise Tasmania's infrastructure connecting the State to Asian markets and opportunities

Tasmanian Government strategies already underway to achieve this goal include:

• implementation of the Tasmanian Infrastructure Strategy and development of a long-term freight strategy for Tasmania;
• leveraging the early rollout of the NBN through the Digital Futures Strategy; and
• working with industry through the Tasmanian Freight Logistics Coordination Team to develop realistic solutions for improving Tasmania's logistic systems, recognising the importance of commercial decisions in shaping the utilisation of the network.

In response to the Asian century, the Tasmanian Government will:

• work with key sectors, including trade, tourism, international education, and Antarctic logistics and research to aggregate demand to advance airport infrastructure development.

5. Increase the scale of production in areas of strength by improving connections to Asian markets and achieving efficiencies in production, logistics and marketing

Tasmanian Government strategies already underway to achieve this goal include:

• building Tasmania's reputation through major tourist developments and Tourism Tasmania's reach into Asia;
• building Tasmanian brand synergies across the food, forestry, tourism, manufacturing, service and education sectors; and
• engaging with government agencies and officials in target Asian markets to support trade and investment opportunities for businesses and organisations, recognising the importance of government-led trade missions in supporting trade and investment ties with Asian nations.

In response to the Asian century, the Tasmanian Government will:

• establish representation in China to support the marketing of opportunities in key sectors, with an initial focus on forestry, mining, education and migration;
• enhance the capacity of Invest Tasmania to attract foreign investment, with a focus on key target markets;
• work more closely with Australian Government trade and investment agencies to boost Tasmania's reach in Asia, including embedding capability in Australian Government agencies, such as Austrade, to improve Tasmanian links to Asian markets;
• work with business to implement the recommendations of the Asialink workforce capabilities project, including on how programs can link existing education initiatives and activities; and
• develop cultural awareness and build business and social networks in Asia, including through the Premier hosting a major annual Asia–Tasmania event to elevate and cement important Asian connections, and by leveraging events already supported by Events Tasmania.

6. Build on established strengths in minerals, metals, forestry, food, energy, manufacturing, sustainable development and consulting services

Tasmanian Government strategies already underway to achieve this goal include:

• implementation and extension of the Tasmanian Economic Development Plan to lift supply capacity and efficiency in agriculture, mining, manufacturing and services;
• ensuring that access arrangements for the Tasmanian minerals estate and other natural resources are clear and transparent;
• removing regulatory impediments to business development and business adjustment to encourage rapid response to productive business opportunities in the Asian region;
• supporting the transition of the Tasmanian forestry industry, including leveraging opportunities from the Tasmanian forest peace agreement to sustain and build markets for Tasmanian forest products in Asia;
• enabling the expansion of salmon aquaculture in Macquarie Harbour;
• working with industry and training providers to ensure access to skilled labour through training and migration;
• supporting food safety and Tasmania's food producing sectors by maintaining Tasmania's longstanding focus on biosecurity;
• supporting the establishment of an export hub of consulting, engineering, renewable energy and like companies, including leveraging the international links already established by Tasmanian, national and multinational firms; and
• assisting Hydro Tasmania, Forestry Tasmania and other Government Business Enterprises to pursue consulting opportunities in Asia.

In response to the Asian century, the Tasmanian Government will:

• develop strategies to leverage existing business connections and experience in Asian markets, including those held by Government Business Enterprises, for the benefit of the wider Tasmanian industry base.

7. Increase exports of food and beverages to Asian markets, with a focus on competitively priced quality foods for Asia's growing middle class and the marketing of premium products to Asia's high-income consumers

Tasmanian Government strategies already underway to achieve this goal include:

• attracting investment in food and agriculture that targets the establishment of links into Asian food supply chains, including Asian supermarkets;
• undertaking a Compliance Burden Review focused on food export industries to ensure the right balance is struck between health, brand and environmental protection, while lowering the cost of doing business;
• promoting investment in the dairy industry in partnership with DairyTas  and milk processor companies, including enabling dairy conversions where returns remain higher than alternative land uses;
• promoting investment in the wine industry through publishing The Wine Industry in Tasmania – A Guide for Investors, with an aim to quadruple Tasmania's wine production and establish Tasmanian icon and super-premium wines in the Asian market; and
• supporting exporters leveraging Tasmania's relative pest- and disease-free status in marketing quality produce as a key element of Tasmania's brand.

In response to the Asian century, the Tasmanian Government will:

• work towards securing private capital contributions to fund the development of identified irrigation projects, and ensure that the full benefits from additional water for irrigation  are realised to maximise the value of agricultural production in the state;
• support implementation of the Agriculture Industry Skills Plan in association with the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA);
• work with industry and Brand Tasmania to develop 'Tasmanian Gourmet' food branding initiatives that bring together cheese, wine, cherries, salmon and seafood as a premium food and beverage offering to high-income Asian customers and supply chain intermediaries, with positive benefits for tourism and education; and
• facilitate greater use of land leasing to enable agricultural enterprises to increase scale and international investment.

8. Support the transformation of Tasmania's manufacturing to take advantage of international value areas of strength

Tasmanian Government strategies already underway or under development to achieve this goal include:

• fostering greater collaboration between industry, government and research organisations as part of the implementation of the Reaching Our Potential: Developing Tasmania's Science Research Capability – Action Plan and the establishment of linkages between the manufacturing and research sectors of the Tasmanian economy;
• encouraging utilisation of the Tasmanian Government Innovation and Investment Fund and Export Marketing Assistance through the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts (DEDTA);
• undertaking the Manufacturing Skills Excellence Network Pilot Program;
• working with major enterprises in trouble to identify sustainable solutions, including through the use of technology and the transformation of value chains; and
• supporting the establishment of innovative industry hubs of likeminded enterprises to share opportunities for improvement in efficiency, innovation and marketing.

9. Establish Hobart as a gateway for Asia to access the Antarctic continent and Southern Ocean based on world-class research hub and direct logistical support chains and to leverage off continued innovation

Tasmanian Government strategies already underway to achieve this goal include:

• implementation of the Developing Tasmania's Antarctic Sector plan, including increasing the Australian and international Antarctic programs' use of Tasmanian suppliers and service providers; and
• working with Hobart International Airport Pty Ltd and Infrastructure Australia to develop a feasible framework for the Hobart–Antarctica air gateway project.In response to the Asian century, the Tasmanian Government will lobby the Australian Government to:
• give priority to establishing Hobart as the world's pre-eminent Antarctic gateway and fostering Antarctic cooperation as fundamental objective of Australia's diplomatic engagement with Asia;
• provide funding to support a new globally focused research partnership that includes the Australian Antarctic Division, CSIRO and the University of Tasmania, and which builds on Tasmania's established logistical reach and research capability to cement Hobart and Australia as the global leader and hub for East Antarctic research; and
• explore the feasibility of a Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS)-funded International Antarctic Corps to provide young people from Australia, Asia and around the world with the practical training, skills and experience to support Antarctic and Southern Ocean expeditions, science and future industries.

At the launch of the White Paper, the Tasmanian Government announced a number of immediate actions to progress the goals and strategic directions. Further information on the initiatives is available here.