SWEDELINK Newsletter Autumn 2019

SWEDELINK Newsletter Autumn 2019

✨ Eurovision Viewing Party at Denmark House Melbourne 18 May

✨ Eurovision Viewing Party ✨

Join us for all the fun, glitter and drama of Eurovision 2025 and cheer on your favourite country as the grand final hits the big screen!

Date: 18 May
Time: 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Denmark House, L3 428 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia

Drinks and special Eurovision-themed bar food available for purchase.
Costumes encouraged (but not required) — come as you are or come fabulous!
Everyone is welcome – bring your friends and join the party!

Let the music unite us , see you there!

SACC Melbourne Chapter

NEW SMALL BUSINESS MEMBER: Carbon Yachts

Carbon Yachts is a family-owned Australian dealership redefining luxury yachting through innovation and sustainability.

The company specialises in carbon-fibre vessels and curates a portfolio of cutting-edge European brands that blend performance, design, and environmental responsibility. With showrooms in Sydney and the Gold Coast, as well as offices in Sydney Harbour, Pittwater, Melbourne, Perth, and Auckland, Carbon Yachts offers comprehensive sales and aftercare services via its in-house service division, Vesseltec.

Among the Swedish brands represented by Carbon Yachts are Candela, Awake, and Shogun Yachts:

Candela – Candela is leading the world in electric hydrofoiling technology, dramatically reducing energy consumption and emissions on the water. Their C-8 daycruiser has become the best-selling electric boat globally, while the P-12 shuttle represents a commercial breakthrough. This all-electric ferry flies above the water to deliver unmatched efficiency and comfort

Awake Boards – Awake crafts high-performance electric surfboards and eFoils that combine sleek Scandinavian design with thrilling acceleration and intelligent modular systems. Designed for premium recreation, the boards offer a silent, emission-free ride that’s as visually refined as it is fun to use.

Shogun Yachts – Shogun builds ultra-light carbon sailing yachts engineered for short-handed performance cruising. Models like the Shogun 43 and Shogun 50 offer a rare blend of racing DNA, cruising comfort, and striking Scandinavian aesthetics—all optimised for speed, responsiveness, and ease of use.

Links
Contact
Chris Hrones
0420519612

SACC Executive Forum 4 June Sydney

The Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) is pleased to invite you to the SACC Executive Forum on Wednesday, 4 June 2025, hosted at the EQT office in Sydney

This forum offers a valuable opportunity for executives, invited guests and members of Team Sweden Australia to connect and engage in timely discussions. The program will feature opening remarks by Guest of Honour HE Pontus Melander, Ambassador of Sweden to Australia, followed by keynote presentations on the following current topics:

  1. Global Economic Forecast – Navigating uncertainty and identifying emerging opportunities in a shifting landscape
  2. Beyond the Ballot – Economic and political impacts of the Australian Federal Election on businesses and industries

Following the keynotes there will be an interactive round table discussion with focus on topics raised led by SACC Board Director, Penny George, Director Corporate Affairs at AstraZeneca Australia & New Zealand. Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences, current barriers, explore future opportunities and collaboration. 

Event schedule:

3.00 pm Registration, coffee, tea and refreshments are served

3.20 Official welcome by HE Pontus Melander Ambassador of Sweden to Australia

3.25 Introduction by SACC Vice President, Penny George, Director Corporate Affairs at AstraZeneca Australia & New Zealand.

3.30 Keynote Speaker 1 – Global Economic Forecast

3.50 Keynote Speaker 2 – Beyond the Ballot

4.10 Q&A followed by round table discussion led by SACC Vice President, Penny George

5.30 Networking, drinks and canapés are served

6.30 End of Event

Date & time: Wednesday 4 June, 3.00 – 6.30 pm

Place: EQT, Level 42/50 Bridge St, Sydney NSW 2000

RSVP: By 23 May 2025

This forum is by invitation only. For more information contact sacc@swedishchamber.com.au.

We look forward to welcoming you to this high-level forum for insight, dialogue and networking.

Saab’s Sovereign Combat Systems Collaboration Centre officially open

 Saab Australia has officially opened its expanded Australian headquarters and state-of-the-art Sovereign Combat Systems Collaboration Centre (SCSCC) in Mawson Lakes, South Australia.

Saab and its partners will use the facility to undertake software development, systems integration, testing and prototyping – strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability.

The SCSCC is a national asset supported by a $22.6 million grant under the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative. It will be a fundamental input to the development of a sustainable combat systems industry that enables the timely development and deployment of capability to respond to emerging threats.

It is the latest in a series of significant investments made by Saab in Australia to support the ongoing development of defence capabilities and technology.

“Saab has been a leader in Australian combat systems capability for more than three decades and we have made this long-term investment in partnership with the Commonwealth to drive that into the future,” said Saab Australia Managing Director Andy Keough CSC.

In the bottom photo, His Excellency Pontus Melander, Swedish Ambassador to Australia is seated third from the left. Jan Eldeblad, Swedish Defence Attaché to Australia is seated on the far left. 

“The Collaboration Centre will be a hub for Saab, our industry and research partners, and Defence, to develop and integrate combat system capabilities at speed to meet the ADF’s operational requirements.

“A core component of ongoing sovereign combat systems capability development is the AusCMS – Australia’s sovereign combat management system.”

The sovereign AusCMS enables the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to independently adapt their capabilities through the adoption of evolving and disruptive technologies to meet the continually changing and challenging operational context. AusCMS is a common capability across the RAN surface fleet and will form the Australian Interface for the combat system on the upgraded Hobart-class destroyers and Hunter-class frigates.

The opening of the SCSCC follows Saab’s recent expansion in Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT. Saab employs more than 1,000 Australians delivering capabilities across the maritime, land, air, space, cyber and civil security domains.

Health experts call for faster access to medicines for Australians

AstraZeneca continues to advocate for earlier, faster and fairer access to medicines for Australian patients

Australian patients wait, on average, 466 days between a potentially life-changing medicine receiving approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and that medicine being reimbursed through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

This length of time is significantly longer than the average time for the same process across all 20 OECD countries, which is 384 days. Australia’s average waiting period is months longer compared to Sweden, which ranks 8 out of 20 at 325 days. Other OECD countries such as Japan (102 days), Germany (136 days), Great Britain (156 days), also have faster listing times. For some, the wait is much longer. For example, a AstraZeneca cancer medicine was recently PBS listed 2,339 days after it was deemed safe and effective to use by the TGA, which was in August 2018.

To address the significant time delay that patients face in Australia, AstraZeneca is continuing to advocate for the government to introduce a bridging funding mechanism for medicines. Bridging funding could provide interim government funding to ‘bridge’ the gap between TGA registration and PBS reimbursement for medicines where there is a high unmet need and where patients cannot afford the time for the medicine to be listed on the PBS.

This would ensure patients could get faster access to treatment options, expected to provide improvement to their health outcomes over existing and often older therapies. This fund would help patients gain earlier access to medicines that may save or significantly extend their life.

In November 2024, the Bridging Funding Coalition – a group of 20 patient advocates, clinicians, medical researchers and pharmaceutical industry representatives (pictured) – launched a website and consensus statement across national media to call on the Government to ensure Australian patients get faster access to medicines by committing to establishing bridging funding for medicines.

Broad support for bridging funding continues to gain significant momentum among health, policy and patient experts. At the same time, there is growing urgency across the health sector to address the reform needed for patients in Australia’s health technology assessment system – the process by which medicines are valued and subsidised to Australians.

The Bridging Funding Coalition will continue advocating for bridging funding for medicines, while simultaneously developing a framework for bridging funding that could be accepted by the next government.

For more information or to learn more about the Bridging Funding Coalition, please contact:

Penny George, Director Corporate Affairs, AstraZeneca on penny.george@astrazeneca.com

Polestar 4 Wins Luxury Car of the Year Under $10,000

Sweden’s Polestar 4 crowned Drive’s Luxury Car of the Year under $100K, redefining premium driving through design, innovation, and sustainability

An exciting achievement for Sweden’s very own Polestar 4, which earlier this year became the first electric car to be crowned Drive Luxury Car of the Year under $100,000. 
The car won out against some of the best-selling luxury cars in Australia thanks to its innovative exterior design, Swedish-engineered performance chassis, and its spacious interior incorporating sustainable materials that don’t compromise on quality.
Drive.com.au judges said Polestar 4 “redefines what a luxury car can be”.
Polestar Australia Managing Director, Scott Maynard, says “Polestar 4 blends luxury, sustainability, and performance to create an experience that will make even the most conservative luxury buyers take notice.
“The fact it’s being celebrated not just among electric vehicles, but among some of the best-known, best-selling luxury cars in Australia reflects that.”
Polestar 4 has been a key driver for Polestar in Australia, which has seen deliveries grow by more than 10 per cent so far in 2025.
Stay tuned for more Polestar love in a big Car of the Year announcement that’s coming soon.

Berkeley Communications doubles down on establishing PR portfolio of Swedish thought leadership brands

Offers 10% discount on all PR & content services to SACC members on agreements signed before 30 July 2025

The best practice approach to business PR in Australia is changing fast and the brands that focus on quality brand storytelling over self-congratulatory PR puff, will be the 2025 winners.

The good news for Swedish companies and SACC members in Australia is that – despite the current AI topic dominance – there is appetite among Australian media audiences for fresh perspectives on innovation, sustainability and business thought leadership. All synonymous with brand Sweden.

Povel Torudd (top left), Berkley Communications running a storytelling workshop in Brisbane (top right), and Povel Torudd winning Business Professional of the Year at the 2024 SACC Business Awards

And this is why Berkeley Communications is offering 10% off all fee-based PR and content services to all SACC members before the end of July 2025.

“We often see opportunities for Swedish companies to share thought leadership in Australia about many of the business areas that we’re known to excel in globally. But there’s never been a PR agency in Australia that offers a single touchpoint for Australian journalists to reach multiple Swedish business thought leaders and it’s time to change that now”, said Povel Torudd, MD of Berkeley Communications.

“Being Swedish founded and Australian-staffed means we understand and can represent the Swedish mindset in Australia, on behalf of all our Swedish partner brands, with credibility and authority. Providing a short cut for journalists on deadline or looking for story inspiration.” he continued.

And short cuts are needed. Fewer traditional media titles and fewer journalists means more competition and higher demands on business PR programs to succeed. Recent data from ACMA shows the Australian journalist community has decreased by 19% in the past decade. Medianet’s 2025 journalist survey shows that 67% of all media releases are ignored due to lack of relevance or news value.

Which means that doubling down on quality business storytelling is the best way for brands to cut through and increase engagement with all audiences. And for that to happen, PR needs to be a strategic part of your brand content eco-system that amplifies every win.

Contact Povel Torudd directly on povel.torudd@berkeleypr.com or +61 405 205 918 to activate the 10% discount offer on all PR/content fees.

Berkeley Communications was a finalist in two of the SACC Business Award categories in 2024 and its Managing Director, Povel Torudd, won the Business Person of the Year award due to his commitment to evolving the business storytelling discipline in Australia.

SACC Melbourne After Work 23 April 2025

Join us for AW in Melbourne!

This is an informal catch up with the opportunity to build connections and meet fellow members and friends from the Swedish-Australian business network.

Date: 23 April 2025

Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Venue: Limerick Arms Hotel, 364 Clarendon St, South Melbourne VIC 3205

There are no costs attached to this event, but please register to give us an indication on numbers. Drinks and food at bar prices.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

SACC Melbourne Chapter 

SACC Brisbane QLD – After Work Networking Drinks 1 May

SACC Brisbane QLD – Networking Drinks with the Dutch, Norwegian, Maltese and Spanish Chambers

This business networking event takes place on the first Thursday of the month and is a great opportunity to expand your network with other European Chambers in Brisbane QLD.

Join us for good laughs and a nice drink in a relaxing atmosphere and the Dutch will of course throw in some famous Bitterballen. Feel free to bring friends and colleagues along!

When: Thursday, 1 May, 5:30 – 7.30 pm
Where: Riverland, 167 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Please register to confirm your attendance. There is no cost attached to this invitation. Drinks at bar prices.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

SACC Brisbane QLD Chapter

SACC QLD introduces “Brand Dating” concept – adds a new format to its networking and thought leadership events in Brisbane 2025

SACC QLD is excited to launch a brand new event series in Brisbane in 2025: Brand Dating — a thought leadership and networking concept designed to inspire collaboration, spark ideas and potentially lead to your next business opportunity. The concept is simple. First we learn something from a recognised expert, then we brand date and then we problem solve.

Join us for a Swedish inspired bite to eat while learning from our guest expert, introduce your own brand story and a current challenge you want to solve, lean on the group for input into how, and celebrate it over a drink at the European networking Borel afterwards. 

The expert speaker topic for our first event is ‘Cybersecurity’, from none other than Dr Kiran Kewalramani from Cyber Ethos, who will share observations and invaluable tips for brands wanting to stay cyber resilient in 2025.

First Brand Dating Event Details:

  • Date & time: 1 May 2025, 4.00pm – 5.30pm
  • Venue: CUB Brisbane, Lv 19 200 Mary St, Brisbane City 4000 QLD
  • Register: SACC Members: $25, Non Members: $35

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

The SACC QLD Team

Speaker:

Dr Kiran Kewalramani, PhD (Cybersecurity) GAICD helps business owners and directors lead with confidence, turning cyber complexity into strategic advantage across businesses and boardrooms in Australia and beyond. “Cybersecurity isn’t an IT issue — it’s a business and board priority”.

 

This event is kindly supported by SACC Member: Berkeley Communications