I’m dismayed that Australia isn’t doing more to foster local fabs.
Australia is a relatively small market located far from global supply chains with relatively high energy, capital and labour costs. I think we need to be selective about which industries we promote, especially if the industry will only be viable with large government subsidies.
How much low wage work is found in semiconductor manufacturing? In the US at least, most of the manufacturing technician jobs require at least an associates degree in a STEM field or mechanical/technical certificates from trade schools.