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2025-2026 is shaping as an exciting but challenging year for the ASI and the steel industry.  Key priorities for the ASI in the coming 12 months will be: Protecting local fabricators from the surge in very low-priced imported fabricated steelwork through trade measures. Supporting a new AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification process to join AS/NZS 5131 certification under an expanded Steelwork Compliance Australia (SCA) scheme.  Implementing a new traceability system for steel products. Engaging with governments on renewable energy projects.  Advocating for local steel content in government and private industry contracts, and monitoring contracts to ensure local content regulations are enforced. Promoting the Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) scheme to provide pathways for members to meet sustainability requirements in their projects. Representing on Australian Standards committees. Protecting and growing Australian steel by supporting the Australian Resources Recovery Council initiative...

Met with Western Australia’s Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation, Manufacturing and Skills, and TAFE Amber-Jade Sanderson, and the Premier Roger Cook seeking strong procurement rules that ensure sub-contractors use local supply chains. Talking points included Made in WA policy, WA Jobs Act (2017), WA Industry Participation Strategy and WA Local Manufacturing Investment Fund.  Ongoing consultation continues with the Western Australia State Government regarding traceability and the Federal Government’s guidelines document. The state is investigating the role of traceability in decarbonisation and the circular economy. Western Australia’s wind farm development is at a crossroads with onshore and offshore both facing protests and urgent demand from new industrial developments such as the Murchison Green Hydrogen Project. ASI has advised the government that steel supply is critical for the state’s ambitions and original equipment manufacturers should be encouraged to engage with the industry. Met...

Attended a Meet the Buyer event organised by the South Australia Office of Industry Advocate and engaged the Office of Northern Water Delivery, Office of Industry Advocate, Office of Hydrogen Power and Housing Authority to promote the local Australian steel supply chain. Held a successful ASI South Australia Fabricators Forum with Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis together with Industry Advocate John Chapman and Deputy Industry Advocate Phillip Dowsett. There were 52 attendees representing 25 local businesses (ASI South Australia members) and the South Australia Government (Minister’s Office, Department for Energy and Mining, Office of the Industry Advocate, Department for Education). Continued to lobby the Office of the Industry Advocate for stronger local steel and fabrication content for South Australia Government-funded projects via a Tailored Industry Participation Plan for steel. In conjunction with the Department for...

Discussed with Queensland Government representatives the commitment by the previous government to require SCA certification of steel fabricators to AS/NZS 5131 as a prequalification to work on government building projects. It was confirmed that the new government will likely support the progress of the commitment through the normal government protocols.  Communicated with Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) regarding sharing of information on training, with the intention of gaining MSQ support for ASI initiatives. Joined the Engineering Skills and Training Industry Reference Group (IRG) at MSQ. Presented lectures on economical structural steelwork to third year engineering students at James Cook University, the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland. Held the ASI Steel Scholarship for 4th year University Students with support from Professor Mahen Mahendran and his team at the Queensland University of Technology. The successful scholarship winner...