The Government seeks to make Australia more competitive by working closely with industry to identify new opportunities for growth. The Department has programs to assist the growth of key industry sectors, and is also engaged in future arrangements for some established industries.
Tourism contributes substantially to Australia's exports and gross domestic product. The Department promotes a high-quality tourism industry, provides the industry with research and statistics, and administers a number of assistance programs.
The resources sector is critical to the Australian economy and way of life. The Department supports exploration and mining, encourages the efficient use of energy, monitors our oil and gas resources and ensures they are extracted and used safely and in environmentally responsible ways.
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Innovation is one of the key drivers of economic growth. The Department helps industry through a range of programs and seeks to nurture emerging knowledge-based industries.
Foreign investment stimulates economic growth and contributes to higher living standards for Australians. The Department, through Invest Australia, provides a range of programs designed to attract international investment.
A healthy small business sector is vital to the Australian economy, accounting for 58 percent of private sector jobs growth and generating an estimated 30 per cent of Australia's economic production. The Department helps small business to grow and prosper by providing advice and assistance programs.
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