TASMANIA’S newly appointed co-ordinator general, John Perry, will face his first real test when TasInvest launches tomorrow. Mr Perry officially starts his new role in January, but will be acting in the capacity this week. The sold-out investment summit will see hundreds of interstate and international investors descend on the state for three days of discussions, presentations and site visits – all of which are oversubscribed. Among attendees will be representatives from Fortune 500 companies, Chinese ministries and a number of immensely powerful investment firms. Mr Perry will deliver a keynote address at the conference, but says the bulk of his workload will be away from the podium, with side meetings and private discussions dominating his calendar. ‘‘It’s really about making contacts and developing those relationships over time so we see some good investments come out of the summit,’’ Mr Perry told The Examiner. ‘‘There are a number of investment-ready projects that will be presented to delegates, but there are other investment ideas that will be canvassed to give investors a proper understanding of what’s possible.’’ So, what exactly does the co-ordinator general’s office do? Mr Perry said the Launceston-based agency would be focused on helping proponents identify paths for investment and understand what they need to do and what they can expect, as well as the costs and time-frames involved. ‘‘It’s about giving them a complete understanding of the intersection between different regulations, approvals and processes across different levels of government,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s making sure investors are guided through the process and feel supported, rather than overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn.’’ Mr Perry’s office will be co-located with the federal government’s Major Project Approval Agency, but will operate differently. A $50 million minimum project spend tied to the federal agency will not extend to the state-based office. The exact threshold of projects attracting the co-ordinator general’s attention is yet to be confirmed. ‘‘It’s got to be significant enough to warrant our resources – we’ll be working over the coming weeks and months to sort out how that’s going to be evaluated,’’ Mr Perry said. He was not aware of any glaring examples of past investment opportunities that had gone begging in the office’s absence. ‘‘But this structure is being established to ensure it does not happen into the future,’’ he said. ‘‘We’re here to make sure that from now on, investors and businesses consider Tasmania where they otherwise might have overlooked it in favour of other places.’’ The office has a $2 million budget, and while its structure is not yet finalised, Mr Perry expects to work alongside a small team. While based in Launceston, the agency’s staff will travel often to interstate and international trade shows and investment forums, tasked with promoting Tasmanian investment opportunities and pursuing those who express interest. Mr Perry said the task would not be easy. ‘‘It’s not quite the same boom times as ten years ago, but there is definitely a sense of optimism and opportunity that we can achieve some real success,’’ he said. Tourism, agriculture and mining projects would be the primary focus for the North of the state, Mr Perry said.
TASMANIA’S newly appointed co-ordinator general, John Perry, will face his first real test when TasInvest launches tomorrow.
Mr Perry officially starts his new role in January, but will be acting in the capacity this week.
The sold-out investment summit will see hundreds of interstate and international investors descend on the state for three days of discussions, presentations and site visits – all of which are oversubscribed.
Among attendees will be representatives from Fortune 500 companies, Chinese ministries and a number of immensely powerful investment firms.
Mr Perry will deliver a keynote address at the conference, but says the bulk of his workload will be away from the podium, with side meetings and private discussions dominating his calendar.
‘‘It’s really about making contacts and developing those relationships over time so we see some good investments come out of the summit,’’ Mr Perry told The Examiner.
‘‘There are a number of investment-ready projects that will be presented to delegates, but there are other investment ideas that will be canvassed to give investors a proper understanding of what’s possible.’’
So, what exactly does the co-ordinator general’s office do?
Mr Perry said the Launceston-based agency would be focused on helping proponents identify paths for investment and understand what they need to do and what they can expect, as well as the costs and time-frames involved.
‘‘It’s about giving them a complete understanding of the intersection between different regulations, approvals and processes across different levels of government,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s making sure investors are guided through the process and feel supported, rather than overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn.’’
Mr Perry’s office will be co-located with the federal government’s Major Project Approval Agency, but will operate differently.
A $50 million minimum project spend tied to the federal agency will not extend to the state-based office.
The exact threshold of projects attracting the co-ordinator general’s attention is yet to be confirmed.
‘‘It’s got to be significant enough to warrant our resources – we’ll be working over the coming weeks and months to sort out how that’s going to be evaluated,’’ Mr Perry said.
He was not aware of any glaring examples of past investment opportunities that had gone begging in the office’s absence.
‘‘But this structure is being established to ensure it does not happen into the future,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re here to make sure that from now on, investors and businesses consider Tasmania where they otherwise might have overlooked it in favour of other places.’’
The office has a $2 million budget, and while its structure is not yet finalised, Mr Perry expects to work alongside a small team.
While based in Launceston, the agency’s staff will travel often to interstate and international trade shows and investment forums, tasked with promoting Tasmanian investment opportunities and pursuing those who express interest.
Mr Perry said the task would not be easy.
‘‘It’s not quite the same boom times as ten years ago, but there is definitely a sense of optimism and opportunity that we can achieve some real success,’’ he said.
Tourism, agriculture and mining projects would be the primary focus for the North of the state, Mr Perry said.
New co-ordinator general John Perry with State Growth Minister Matthew Groom. Mr Perry faces his first big test tomorrow at the launch of TasInvest. Picture: ROSITA GALLASCH
