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

The government cannot compel project proponents to use local products or local companies to bid for work. For example, Australian companies are showing a keen interest in bidding for contracts on the Gorgon project, but no local firm put in a bid to supply the larger, more complex steel modules, which is why the work has gone overseas. That is why the government is investing heavily to boost Australian industry capabilities and to match those capabilities with opportunities. That is why we have established a Steel Industry Innovation Council and are appointing a steel supplier advocate. Our aim is to ensure that Australian steelmakers have the knowledge, the capacity and the opportunity to bid for work, especially on major projects. We cannot guarantee—(Time expired)