On behalf of the Society for Australian Industry and Employment (SAIE), I would like to invite you to participate in an all day conference on the subject The Future of Australian Manufacturing: Is Innovation Enough? to be held on Tuesday 21 April 2009 at the RACV Club in Melbourne.

Since the early 1970s Australia has embarked upon a process that has transformed many aspects of our economic and social life, through the liberalisation of our trade in goods and services, the deregulation of financial, agricultural and labour markets and the privatisation of public assets.

The aim of the conference is to consider the implications and consequences of economic reform from a range of viewpoints.

While acknowledging the productivity benefits that have flowed from a more competitive economic orientation, the SAIE has a concern about some aspects of the Australian reform process, namely the contraction of our industrial base, the consequent impact on our balance of payments position, through chronic deficits, the increasing debt-servicing costs and the massive growth of net foreign liabilities, now exceeding $615 billion.

The conference will bring together a number of capable presenters and participants from academia and industry, with professional backgrounds in economics, business, the trade union movement, finance, agricultural policy, the welfare sector and foreign trade. The presentation format will encourage interaction and exchange between presenters and attendees.

The conference is an opportunity to canvass issues that are of concern to all Australians and the SAIE would welcome your support and participation, together with any of your colleagues and friends who may be interested. For SAIE members the fee is $215.00 and for non-members $245.00. The fee will cover your attendance at the conference, morning and afternoon tea and lunch, finishing with a social hour and refreshments. The RSVP date for registration and payment of fee is Thursday 9 April 2009.

The enclosed information gives details of the conference program, booking and payment details.
Further information can be obtained by phoning the SAIE Secretary, Jim Bristow, on (03) 9762 8156
Mobile: 0418 557 484 or the Vice President, Russell Jackson, on (03) 9859 5122, during business hours. I look forward to your early and positive response to our invitation.

Craig Milne
SAIE Inc. President