To all my friends on Linkedin: I have taken the decision to retire at the end of this year after 52 years as a journalist. It has been a hell of a ride, and I enjoyed every minute writing on technology, innovation, policy and industry. Personal highlights include rafting down the wild Franklin River in Tasmania with Dr Bob Brown, visiting Australia's Antarctic bases at Casey, Davis and Mawson and walking on the sea ice off the Labrador, Canada coast reporting on the yearly seal hunt. It has been a privilege knowing the people who created great Australian companies such as the late Paul Trainor of Cochlear, Peter Farrell of ResMed and Brian McNamee of CSL. But I have learned something every day from diverse people ranging from industry minister John Button to Emeritus Professor Roy Green whose insights have been seminal. I couldn't have done what I have done without the support of the many insightful readers who have loved and sometimes loathed what I have said and done. I am particularly proud having championed Australian industry over so many years, a mantle I happily pass to my talented business partner Brent Balinski who will continue to run the Australian Manufacturing Forum Linkedin group and @AuManufacturing news website. I am still going to be around on Linkedin, but I leave you with the label given me by one critic which I am pleased to wear - as former science minister, the Nationals Peter McGauren once told Parliament: "(He is) a high tech apologist of the worst kind." It is the only way to be.
I won't be sane without you, partner. Godspeed.
Western Australia is a great place for a holiday….
Peter Roberts thank you for your dedicated, passionate writing, and critical eye to one of the most important topics in Australia - making complex things. Enjoy retirement although I'm sure you'll keep your finger on the pulse ☺️ 🥂
All the best on your retirement Peter. You have done the nation and the industrial base a great service throughout your career. Your opinionated yet objective enquiry and reporting has provided a stellar contribution to technology and innovation in Australia.
Bravo you Peter I have learned much from you communicating the intricacies into common speak for me to comprehend. Thank you indeed. And looking forward Brent Balinski.
Congrats and thank you for your contribution to the many, many people you have supported and touched. Hopefully you will have some time for a beer at the Brighton. Go well Peter.
You will leave an indelible footprint on the Australian manufacturing landscape ... Your passion, integrity and fearless championing has been inspirational ...Thank you for your contribution to making Australia a better place ...
Independent Robotics Research Consultant
1dPeter Roberts - I have to thank you for triggering the beginning of the end of my career with CSIRO, and the new freedom that it offers to express my views. It all started with my contribution to A New Plan for Manufacturing https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/a-new-deal-pllan-for-manufacturing-countdown-to-launch. At the time, I was given what we call a significant "Speeding Ticket". I was questioned as to whether my submission been approved by the relevant Business Development and Business unit leaders. I had to quote CSIRO Policy on Social Media, where I have a right to express my views in an area where I had expertise. In this case - Manufacturing. I have worked for the Man BU for 15 years, and became stream leader in Agile Manufacturing. People started to question my current role in CSIRO? Why was a RC in Data61 commented on Manufacturing. And this left me pissed off! I came to realise the perversity of the situation, where the thousands of researchers are forced to go through the appropriate channels. And these channels all have their own agenda. Without this freedom I do not believe I would have been able to submit https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/towards-3-rd-knowledge-diffusion-a-key-by-elliot-duff