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

Thanks to the member for Paterson, who's a huge supporter of regional manufacturing. Today is a landmark day for Australian manufacturing.

It's the day that the Albanese government deliver on our promise to back Australian manufacturing—that we are a country that makes things, that we can stand on our own two feet, that we aren't dependent on vulnerable or concentrated supply chains and that, in the process, we can make secure, well-paying jobs in our regions and in our suburbs.

Today the NRF announced a $40 million investment in Toowoomba's Russell Mineral Equipment, an Australian success story. Since 1985, they have been making cutting-edge mining equipment, employing 450 workers, exporting 90 per cent of what they make and making a billion dollars of earnings for our country. Overseas investors are always knocking on their door, trying to take them and the jobs with them off our shores. But the NRF, teaming up with private investors, has basically kept Russell Mineral Equipment in Aussie hands. Regional jobs are safe. Dr John Russell, who founded RME, is a proud Australian who says, 'We can do whatever we turn our minds to.' He said, 'The NRF is a blessing for Australian manufacturers.'

I'm asked about risks. Well, the risks are all the negativity from that side. I noticed they put out a statement in relation to the NRF; it was less of a statement and more of a ticker tape of criticism and of negativity, wringing their hands about the fact that we're backing in Australian manufacturing—so negative. They boo Santa! Tis the season to be jolly, unless you're a Lib or a Nat. Tis the season to be jolly.

You don't have much to be proud about, do you? In office, they saw off 100,000 manufacturing jobs. We created 70,000 of them; they saw off 100,000. They sneered, they goaded and they dared Australian car manufacturers to leave our shores. They wouldn't back the National Reconstruction Fund, and, on top of that, they would not back energy price relief that shielded manufacturers from the worst of energy price rises.

They have nothing to be proud about; they have no ideas or plans for Australian manufacturing. They'll always turn up for the photo op, but they're never there to back up Australian manufacturing. Frankly, they want to take Australian manufacturing backwards, and the country with it. We think better can be done, and we are showing how that will happen. (Time expired)

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