With the Premier’s Department now absorbing the functions of Investment NSW and the Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer, the Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology has been left without his own department.

Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Mark Coure said that today’s decision reveals that even Premier Chris Minns doesn’t trust Anoulack Chanthivong to deliver for the industry, innovation, science and technology sectors.

“What we’ve seen in the industry, innovation, science and technology sectors since Chanthivong was appointed is a Minister that doesn’t care about our state’s innovators, scientists and entrepreneurs.” Mr Coure said.

“Chanthivong’s lacklustre performance has clearly been noticed by Chris Minns and now that he’s been stripped of his own department, the question must asked, what does he actually do now?”

Established by the former government, Investment NSW and the Department for Enterprise, Investment and Trade became the centre piece for driving industry, innovation and investment growth within NSW.

Investment NSW brought together the NSW Government’s economic and attraction activities for the first time, contributing to the overall enhanced productivity of our state. 

“From the Tech Central Delivery Plan which aimed to create 25,000 additional innovation jobs and 25,000 new STEM students to the Minimum Viable Product grants and Female Founders program, the NSW Liberals and Nationals were at the forefront of driving growth in the future economy.” Mr Coure said.

“If Chris Minns doesn’t even believe in Minister Chanthivong, then how can industry partners, innovators, scientists and entrepreneurs in NSW expect anything other than lip service from the Minns Labor Government, they deserve better.”