Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm delighted to second the motion of my friend and colleague Zaneta Mascarenhas from the neighbouring electorate of Swan in the great state of Western Australia. In Hasluck, as in Swan, and right across Western Australia, the Albanese and Cook Labor governments are working with our vocational training institutions and universities, along with industry, to create the jobs for Western Australian workers. In WA, we have the lowest unemployment rate in the country, at 3.4 per cent. That's in a country where the Albanese government's policies have managed to keep unemployment low while getting inflation down from over six per cent to under three per cent.

Western Australia is the engine room of Australia's economy. It is one of the most productive and diversified mineral and petroleum regions on the planet. With only 11 per cent of the Australian population, WA is the major driver of external trade, producing almost half of Australia's total merchandise exports in 2023-24. We're proud of it, and rightly so, because it doesn't come easy. It means hard, technically challenging work—often away from partners, children and family—in tough terrain and sweltering conditions.

The Prime Minister has visited Western Australia more than any leader in memory. Why? Because he understands the importance of Western Australia and that our federal policies must be shaped by what's happening on the ground in WA. Introducing and passing the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Bill 2024 through the House in November was Labor's priority, because we understand the challenges and opportunities ahead for mining, manufacturing, innovation and exports in Western Australia.

By contrast, does the Liberal opposition leader understand WA? No, he doesn't. He voted against the bill in November. It's now February. Has the opposition wised up? The lack of Liberal speakers on this motion today is testimony to the fact that they are completely deaf to the needs of Western Australia. It's lovely to have the member for Riverina here, but New South Wales is not Western Australia, and it's certainly not Queensland either. How disappointing indeed. Just last week, Senator Reynolds indicated she would oppose the bill, and she said that we have 'quoted a couple of people in the mining sector who are supportive of this'. A couple of people? That's the understatement of the autumn sitting! If the senator or the member for Dickson think that they've got any friends in Western Australia on this matter, they might need to think again.

The production tax credit is about building the future of WA and Australia, and it is supported by the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Minerals Council of Australia. These organisations have hundreds of members that they represent and speak for. AMEC's CEO, Warren Pearce, expects mining companies to establish valuable projects in Australia rather than overseas as a result of this legislation. The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia—WA's peak resources sector representative body—knows critical minerals are vital to the future. Minerals like copper, cobalt, lithium, nickel and what are known as rare earth elements are needed in electricity networks, electric vehicles and wind turbines, and that's just the start. The CEO of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, Rebecca Tomkinson—who I'm very pleased the member for Curtin and the member for Swan referenced—expressed support for the Albanese Labor government's commitment to supporting industry and to level the playing field in what is an intensely competitive global market. She tells us:

Passage of the legislation would set an important investment signal for further value adding activities and provide certainty to industry.

The 21st century started 25 years ago; the Liberal and National parties are running out of time to join the new century.

We want to establish a hydrogen production tax incentive worth $2 a kilo of renewable hydrogen produced between 2027 to 2028 and 2039 to 2040 for up to 10 years per project. Regarding the US Inflation Reduction Act, Meg O'Neill, the CEO of Woodside, said:

It uses carrots, not sticks, to encourage decarbonisation.

It delivers tax credits once a project is up and running rather than up front subsidies—which is good for taxpayers.

And it focuses on reducing carbon, rather than picking winners …

The critical minerals production tax credit is the same. The peak bodies are wholly on board with this legislation. The opposition find themselves very much out in the cold. We need to start listening to what Western Australians are saying. Liberals, you need to pass it; Nationals, get on board.

See this speech in context