Zaneta Mascarenhas MP
House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra
Private Members’ Business
I move:
That this House:
(1) commends the Government's commitment to build a Future Made in Australia that includes a strong, diverse economy with greater opportunity and security for all;
(2) notes the Government is taking advantage of Australia's strengths and natural resources to create job opportunities across the value chain through:
(a) the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund and its key priority areas, which includes a focus on value-add in resources;
(b) investing $840 million to help deliver Australia's first combined rare earth mine and refinery in the Northern Territory;
(c) expanding the Critical Minerals Facility to $6 billion to bolster the sector in Australia;
(d) the $392 million Industry Growth Program to support Australian small and medium enterprises that fall under the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas;
(e) developing Australia's first National Battery Strategy;
(f) updating the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Investment Mandate to allow further investments in clean energy technologies; and
(g) supporting the development of Australian manufacturing through the Capacity Investment Scheme; and
(3) calls on the Opposition to support Australia's manufacturing future and the creation of more secure, well-paid jobs.
I believe in a future made in Australia. If we can make it here, we should make it here. We've got the ideas, we've got the know-how and we even have a strong track record, but now we need to accelerate this. We can do this by building on policy, and that's exactly what the Albanese Labor government is doing. I commend the Albanese Labor government for its commitment to building a future that is made right here in Australia. This means fostering a future economy that is strong and diverse. It means creating a future that provides greater opportunity and security for all Australians.
A future made in Australia was not on the Liberals' radar whatsoever. A decade of policy drift, policy neglect and vested interests meant that homegrown manufacturing waned to disastrous levels. Australia has a self-sufficiency ratio of 62 per cent. That's compared to 83 per cent in the UK and 89 per cent in the US. Germany has one of 121 per cent. Meanwhile, Ireland has one that is 203 per cent. It's clear that Australia is not as self-sufficient as we need it to be, and it shows that we're underperforming. This is not what Australians expect. This situation threatens our sovereign capability in times of crisis, and we witnessed this during the COVID pandemic.
That's why we need to act, and I am pleased to say that the Albanese Labor government is acting. We are not wasting a day. In a short time, the Labor government has done what the previous government failed to do in 10 years. I also say that Minister Husic is a passionate minister who is impatient and wants action. Labor and Minister Husic recognise that we need to provide manufacturing after years of neglect. Labor recognises that products made in Australia are important for so many Australians, and Labor is committed to securing a future made in Australia.
The first step that we made was establishing the National Reconstruction Fund. This fund is a key to building our future made here. The funding will be targeted to seven key areas of the economy to drive and diversify the economy. This includes the resource and agricultural sectors, to expand technology and unlock potential. It's also looking at the transport industry, by developing supply chains. In medical science, it's about harnessing world-leading research to provide suppliers here. And, for renewables and low-emissions technology, we want to make sure that we pursue commercial opportunities, and we've got $3 billion set aside to do this.
We're also looking at enabling capabilities in defence, engineering and AI. The Albanese government is taking advantage of the nation's strength in creating these programs, and, in the process, it will create secure jobs and well-paid jobs. When it comes to jobs, the Albanese government is delivering. Just last week we heard that wages are up, job numbers are up, inflation is down and unemployment is down.
The Albanese government is not stopping there. I commend the government for its expansion of the Critical Minerals Facility and that $6 billion. We need these minerals for our low-carbon future. I commend the government for its $392 million Industry Growth Program. I also commend the government for developing our first National Battery Strategy, for updating the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and for supporting the Capacity Investment Scheme. It's a whole package of initiatives designed to build a future made in Australia. It's a coordinated approach across government that recognises the importance of supporting local manufacturing. It's a game changer for manufacturing.
I call on the opposition not to deny Australia its manufacturing future. I call on the opposition to support a future that is made in Australia, one that will create more well-paid and secure jobs. The bottom line is that Australia needs to look at diversification of our economy, which will ensure that we have more resilience. A more resilient economy means more secure jobs for longer. Rejecting this motion will mean rejecting manufacturing and a future made in Australia. My message to those opposite is: build it here so we can support Australian jobs.
