Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to respond to the motion put forward by the member for Cunningham, and I would like to use this opportunity to formally correct the record when it comes to those opposite and their track record on manufacturing. It may be too long ago for some of the government to recall, but let's, for a moment, take a trip down memory lane as I remind those opposite of their track record on manufacturing.

Under Labor's manufacturing, the contribution to GDP fell by $7 billion and 6,800 manufacturing businesses closed, and employees all of the country were forced out of jobs as a result. Electricity prices also doubled last time Labor was in government. Sound familiar? Since being appointed as the shadow assistant minister for manufacturing, I have heard from plenty of businesses already that they are very concerned about the prospects for the sector going forward under this government. Australian manufacturers and their workers remember all too well what happened last time this mob was in government.

In contrast, I am incredibly proud of the work of the former coalition government and our efforts to support manufacturing organisations of all shapes and sizes in regional electorates, like mine in Central Queensland, and around the entire country. We know how important the manufacturing sector is for increased employment and growth to the nation's economy. Under the Modern Manufacturing Strategy, the coalition invested more than $2.5 billion to drive growth and innovation across the Australian manufacturing sector, funding more than 200 projects to boost our regions and national sovereign capability.

Under the coalition's modern manufacturing initiative program I was able to secure over $750,000 in funding for two manufacturers, Cirrus Ag and CQ Fibreglass Direct Ops. Cirrus Ag, based in Orange, recognised the potential of being based in the beef capital of Australia and constructed a pallet manufacturing facility in Rockhampton to service the agriculture industry. They accessed the grant to assist in the creation of an efficient granular manufacturing operation, improving the plant's operation. A family owned and operated business, CQ Fibreglass Direct Ops are one of only a few businesses in Queensland able to produce filament wound composite ventilation tubes and fittings. The coalition's modern manufacturing initiative assisted this business to invest in automated filament winding production for their goods. These grants benefit the region, its workers and grow our manufacturing sector and sovereign abilities. This funding makes a real difference to Australian businesses, but unfortunately the Albanese government seems to have no interest in the concept of supporting our regions or the manufacturing sector.

Under the coalition, more than 3,300 additional manufacturing businesses were created and manufacturing business turnover was at its highest level since Labor was last in government in 2010. But, despite the track record of the coalition's manufacturing strategy, Labor thought it best to ignore the facts, ignore the need to support industry and businesses to tackle rising costs, ignore supporting our regional manufacturers and of course ignore addressing workforce shortages in favour of doing their own thing, also known as giving in to their union overlords. If you could be bothered to follow this government's abysmal actions to date, you could be forgiven for thinking that Labor and Prime Minister Albanese are intent on ruining our strong manufacturing sector.

While manufacturers are struggling across the country to deal with rising power prices, almost 12 months on Labor's focus has been to forge ahead with radical industrial relations legislation, legislation which has seen a rise in the number of industrial disputes and give way to thousands of job losses, which will have a devastating impact on the industry. Need I state the obvious? It seems Labor's priorities are all wrong. Instead of easing costs for manufacturers and dealing with rising electricity prices, Labor's focus has been to make it more difficult for manufacturers to hire staff and grow their businesses.

In the 2022 budget, Labor actively stamped out key features of the coalition's successful industry policies and has been promising a National Reconstruction Fund, which we, in here, and manufacturers across the country are yet to see. Labor's only focus was to get rid of successful coalition policy, doing so without even having an alternative ready, leaving our nation's manufacturers in the lurch when they need it most.

Even worse, Labor is playing politics with funds already committed to businesses under the coalition's modern manufacturing initiative. These funds have already been independently assessed by experts and the department, funds which Australian manufacturing businesses are currently waiting for. These are real businesses with real employees that Labor is purposely playing politics with.

It is time this government deliver on their promises and actually stand up for our country's manufacturing sector instead of hanging them out to dry. I'll be doing everything in my power to make sure that the manufacturing industry is heard and that this incompetent government is held to account.

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