Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Barnett for his question. I would take Senator Barnett’s and the opposition’s concerns about the welfare of textile workers more seriously if the opposition had actually indicated any interest whatsoever—ever—in the Australian textile industry. I would take their concerns so much more seriously if they had shown any real commitment to workers in this industry. I would take their concerns so much more seriously if they had not sought to introduce changes to the industrial relations regime in this country which sought to undermine the living conditions of textile workers in this country. I would take their concerns so much more seriously if they had just once raised the issue of the welfare of textile workers.

What we have seen is that this government’s approach has been entirely different. We acknowledge that this is an industry that is in the process of transformation. We acknowledge that this is an industry that has highly competitive and highly innovative components to it. We acknowledge the importance of this industry, and that is why, on coming to office, we immediately established a comprehensive review into the textile, clothing and footwear industry. That is why we appointed Professor Roy Green, Dean of the Macquarie Graduate School of Management, who has completed his independent review and has provided that to the government. The government will be considering that report and responding to it in due course.

Like Professor Green, I have an optimistic view of the future of Australia’s TCF industries. Many within the TCF industries are very positive indeed about their future. It was reported in the Financial Review of 1 September 2008, for example, that:

Today’s TCF industry survivors are epitomised by the likes of RM Williams, which sells locally-made boots for up to $1875, Melba Textiles, with its bullet-resistant fabrics used by police, and Clear Edge Filtration, a leading fabric supplier to alumina refineries.

Businesses are flourishing by transforming themselves and taking advantage of the technologies that are available at the moment. The Rudd government’s view is that this is an industry that is very much part of the 21st century industrial landscape and that is very much part of our innovation policies and our industry policies. It would be so much better if the opposition came on board with these policies rather than seeking to take opportunistic advantage of a situation which we have seen in recent times. Everyone understands the global pressures that are being faced by manufacturing in this country, but the difference we have now is a government committed to ensuring that a sustainable industry exists in this country. What we now have is a government that is committed to an innovation policy, to an industry policy aimed at ensuring that workers are able to look forward with confidence to the future.

What we have is a major challenge facing Australian manufacturing. What we believe is that, with the right policy settings and working in partnership with industry, we can come through these challenges in a much stronger state. We propose that one should be optimistic about the future. We do not take the view of the opposition that one should talk down—