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

My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. How is the Albanese Labor government's Future Made in Australia helping to unlock the potential of Australian grain growers? And what could be standing in the way?

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to thank our terrific member for Hasluck for her support for the grain growers in Western Australia, her home state, and indeed around the country. She understands that the grain and oilseed producers are world-class innovators. And they are indeed innovating. It was terrific to be at an event that they hosted in Parliament House last night, together with the minister for infrastructure.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Barker will cease interjecting.

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's no surprise that the member is excited about our Future Made in Australia and what it can mean for grain and oilseed producers. Labor's Future Made in Australia plan will help maximise the economic benefits of the move to net zero. One of the priorities of the Future Made in Australia plan is the development of the Australian low-carbon liquid fuel industry. This is something that's already happening overseas, and it's happening with Australian grain and oilseeds overseas.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for O'Connor and the member for Barker are now warned.

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sixty per cent of canola exported to Europe is used to produce biofuels. And whilst our agricultural trade is critical to the industry, Labor wants these jobs and this innovation here in Australia as well. We want more opportunities for our producers both here and overseas. That's why our Future Made in Australia plan will see more of the produce staying on shore and being transformed right here into sustainable fuels for Australians.

We saw in our recent budget $1.7 billion for the Future Made in Australia innovation fund—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Nationals will cease interjecting or he'll be warned.

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and this will support to development and production of low-carbon liquid fuel pathways here in Australia. This will help the potential of tens of thousands of grain and oilseed growers around the country, creating more jobs and unlocking the potential of local industries, often in regional communities around the country. GrainCorp, of course, has stated:

An Australian renewable fuel refining industry will build a valuable new domestic market for our nation's growers and feedstock producers, with the benefits flowing on to regional communities and consumers.

That is GrainCorp on the industry's potential with the Future Made in Australia—and who could argue with that?

Well, apparently those opposite are arguing with that. I'm surprised that the Nats over there aren't supporting the farmers, the grain and oilseed producers, who want to turn their products into biofuels in Australia. They should be backing Labor's plan because it is about a sustainable future and making sure our farmers and our producers, the people doing the hard work day in and day out, get the benefits of the Future Made in Australia as will local communities right around the country.