In August 2018, Karen was appointed to the Morrison Government Cabinet as Minister for Industry, Science & Technology.
She comes to the role as a strong advocate of Science and having worked closely with Australian Industry to develop our nation’s skills base.
One of the first females to graduate as an engineer from the University of Queensland in 1983, Karen has long championed the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in education and training. She is a tireless advocate of STEM as a means of driving innovation and preparing people for the jobs of the future.
Karen has a practical track record of working closely with Australian industry and businesses in developing the vocational sector to ensure Australians can gain the skills and training they need to enrich their lives and enhance the national economy.
Copies of Karen’s portfolio media releases can be accessed at her Ministerial website.
Australian companies are set to gain new export opportunities, that have the potential to create new jobs, with the COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register opening to keen international buyers. The Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) introduced the online Register in March, so local manufacturers and suppliers of crucial products such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)…
DetailsThe Morrison Government has today launched a set of principles to guide agreements between car dealers and manufacturers, as part of our commitment to deliver the best outcome for Australian consumers. The six principles are designed to help steer contract negotiations and build on the historic introduction of a separate schedule to the Franchising Code…
DetailsAustralian and Indian researchers will work together to advance COVID-19 screening and study the future health effects of the virus, after a nearly $4 million investment by the Morrison Government. The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) has funded six new projects, including one to develop COVID-19 diagnostic technologies and another study of the longer-term effects…
DetailsInnovative, female-led startups across Australia are being backed by the Morrison Government, with nearly $12 million in support to help them scale up and grow their businesses. The Boosting Female Founders Initiative is supporting 51 female-founded startups that are majority owned and led by women, with grants of between $25,000 and $480,000. Minister for Industry,…
DetailsJapan’s space agency, with support from Australian officials, has successfully found its space capsule in remote South Australia carrying samples from a 4 billion year old asteroid. The Australian Space Agency and Department of Defence have supported the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) with the return of the Hayabusa2 capsule in the Woomera Prohibited Area…
DetailsThe Morrison Government is backing Australian manufacturers with shovel-ready projects that will create jobs and drive the country’s COVID-19 comeback, with applications now open for round two of the $52.8 million Manufacturing Modernisation Fund (MMF). Businesses will be able to apply for grants of between $100,000 and $1 million to invest in new technology to…
DetailsA marine ecologist, space technologist and neuroscientist are among 60 outstanding women in science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM) who have been named as the newest Superstars of STEM. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the Superstars of STEM program plays a vital role in raising the profile of remarkable women across…
DetailsAfter a tough year for Australian families, the Morrison Government is making sure they can shop with confidence when buying their Christmas groceries, with a two-week blitz on fresh food sales. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said inspectors from the National Measurement Institute (NMI) would audit around 450 supermarkets, butchers, fresh fish…
DetailsThe Morrison Government is helping fast-track a $1.5 billion project to mine phosphate in the Northern Territory, which will create more than a thousand jobs and export opportunities for the Top End. Major Project Status has been awarded to the Ammaroo Phosphate Project, based in a remote part of the NT about 200 kilometres south-east…
DetailsNorth Queensland’s iconic Great Barrier Reef will be better protected thanks to the Morrison Government’s investment in a $36.3 million research facility near Townsville. In this year’s Budget the Government provided funding to expand the National Sea Simulator (SeaSim), a specially designed facility for climate related coral reef research. Member for Dawson George Christensen said…
DetailsThe Morrison Government is backing Australian businesses with projects in the space, clean energy and medical sectors to commercialise and take on new markets. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the latest round of the Accelerating Commercialisation grants take the Government’s investment to date to more than $240 million. “These latest grants…
DetailsAn innovative nasal treatment to fight COVID-19, common colds and flu is being taken to the next stage of testing, thanks to the Morrison Government’s $500 million Biomedical Translation Fund. Developed by Australian biotech company Ena Respiratory, INNA-051 works by stimulating the innate immune system, the first line of defence against the invasion of pathogens…
DetailsAustralia will share its successful approach to the COVID-19 pandemic and the pathway ahead as the host of the virtual Global Innovation Summit 2020. Held over the next two days, the theme of this year’s summit – Crossing the chasm: Health, Innovation and the Future Economy. Participants will explore the impact of COVID-19 from a…
DetailsA new high-tech vaccine manufacturing facility will be developed in Melbourne to secure Australia’s long-term supply of critical health products including pandemic influenza vaccines and life-saving antivenoms. The $1 billion agreement between the Morrison Government and Seqirus also provides the ability to rapidly manufacture vaccines when responding to health pandemics in the future. Prime Minister…
DetailsThe Morrison Government is further backing start-up businesses on the NSW South Coast to recover and thrive after the devastating bushfire season and COVID-19 pandemic. The Bega Valley Innovation Hub is one of the latest recipients of the Incubator Support Initiative, and will use its $250,000 grant to help regional business owners access its specialised…
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