Department of Industry officials have confirmed that the Government plans to re-establish a working group to succeed the abolished Pharmaceutical Industry Working Group (PIWG).
Under questioning from Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Industry, Senator Kim Carr, during Budget Estimates last week, the officials confirmed that Health Minister Sussan Ley and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane planned to re-establish a cross-portfolio working group.
The Abbott Government announced the abolition of PIWG last December, as one of 175 'agencies' to be scrapped.
However, Mr Macfarlane subsequently confirmed plans to re-establish a cross-portfolio working group at a meeting of health industry representatives in Sydney in April.
PIWG included representatives of the pharmaceutical, life sciences and biotechnology industries, including AusBiotech.
According to officials, the new group will include the life sciences sector, as well as related industries such as the plastics and food industries.
It was expected to meet in June, but its official formation is understood to have been delayed by pre-and-post Budget discussions regarding the multi-billion dollar PBS savings package.