Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Industry and Science. Why is it imperative that we deliver a future made in Australia, and what stands in the way of that delivery?

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

I want to thank the member for their question because they know, like everyone on this side of the House knows, how critically important our Future Made in Australia plans are, rebuilding manufacturing capability in this country. We lived the experience of the pandemic. The things we needed most weren't there when we needed them. We needed to rebuild our ability to make things in this country. We recognise the vulnerabilities of depending on concentrated supply chains that didn't deliver for us. Being able to rebuild manufacturing capabilities to help us respond to global and national challenges, like the transition to net zero, can also, importantly, create great jobs. Strong economies possess strong manufacturing capabilities, and they create strong, secure, well-paid jobs, which is really important to the nation. We want to use our Future Made in Australia plans to revitalise manufacturing, grow jobs and make the transition to net zero easier for the nation. But what are we confronted with? We're confronted with, again, an unholy alliance—the Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens—all saying they'll vote against it.

I note the presence of Hansard—hello, I'm a big fan. I have to say that I was going to call Hansard today because some of the debate that we saw from those opposite last night was something else. The shadow Treasurer didn't fail to deliver. Bear in mind that this is the same Liberal Party that, in government, saw off 100,000 manufacturing jobs and saw off the car industry. In opposition they also voted against the National Reconstruction Fund, and they also voted against energy price relief to help our manufacturers. And then you had the shadow Treasurer say that the coalition has always supported manufacturing, followed by another clanger, where the shadow Treasurer said that he'd worked for decades in manufacturing—for that noted manufacturer, McKinsey & Company. Thinking of Angus as a manufacturing worker is like thinking of Derek Zoolander as a coalminer. It just doesn't fit.

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

The shadow Treasurer will cease interjecting.

The Assistant Treasurer will cease interjecting. The member for Wannon has every right to raise a point of order, and he will be heard in silence.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask the minister to refer to members by their correct title, please.

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

That is an entirely appropriate point of order. Is the member for Menzies seeking the call?

Keith Wolahan (Menzies, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No.

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

I invite the minister to remind himself of the standing order that all members should be aware of.

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

It just doesn't work. Their commitment—their heart—is not in it. They only ever talk about manufacturing to talk it down. This is a test for the parliament. Do we want a stronger economy or a weaker one? Do we want more jobs or fewer? Will the Liberals and Nationals join up again with the Greens to refuse to back our plans for A Future Made in Australia? People will see where that mob stands.