Ed Husic (Chifley, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Science) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Gilmore, who is a very strong supporter of Australian manufacturing and recognises how important it is in our regions in providing jobs and a stronger economic future for the country.

Earlier this year, the parliament legislated for the National Reconstruction Fund, a $15 billion fund that is the greatest investment in manufacturing capabilities in living memory. The NRF is an investment in Australian firms and Australian workers using their know-how and Australian resources to make things in Australia.

Today I announced the next step in delivering on our election commitment to set up the National Reconstruction Fund—the appointment of the independent board to provide the high-calibre stewardship that an investment of this size and importance rightly demands. On any measure, this is a supremely qualified board of eight well-respected, highly experienced members. It is a board made up of different experiences, different skills, different viewpoints from different corners of the country but unified in the view that we can build a stronger economic future for the nation. It is a group of fine Australians ready to help take Australia forward, and I thank them enormously for their willingness to serve.

The NRF is a massive springboard for Australian industry.

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