Burning Platforms Industrial Base with Minister Tim Ayres
14 snips
Aug 6, 2025 
Tim Ayres, Australia's Federal Industry and Science Minister, shares his journey from union roots to shaping national industry policy. He discusses the complex interplay between AI, energy, and water, stressing the importance of sustainable practices. The conversation also dives into copyright laws impacting AI development, emphasizing the need to balance innovation and authors' rights. Ayres highlights the crucial role of worker empowerment as technology evolves, advocating for collaboration to ensure equitable outcomes in a tech-driven future.
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Tim Ayres' Rural Origins
- Tim Ayres grew up in rural NSW with parents as a school teacher and an agricultural scientist.
- He was passionate about economics and industry policy, leading union efforts in regional Australia before politics.
Modern Mission-Focused Policy
- Modern industrial policy should be mission-focused on national interest outcomes like energy transition and supply chain resilience.
- Success is measured by economic resilience and good jobs, not just industrial presence.
Electricity as New Industrial Fuel
- Electricity supply and transmission underpin industrial growth, especially for energy-intensive tech and manufacturing.
- Renewable energy positions Australia uniquely to lead low-carbon industrial sectors like steel and minerals.
