Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

The government, I can assure you, Senator Madigan, is committed to ensuring Austra­lian manufactures are given every chance to succeed. As I am sure the senator would appreciate, it is not appropriate for the government to force private companies receiving government grants to use specific suppliers. Firstly, it is not always possible to source Australian suppliers and, secondly, such a local content requirement would present a violation of our international trade obligations.

The Gillard government has comprehen­sive policies to maximise the opportunity for Australian industry to participate in major projects, including, as announced in October 2011 by the Prime Minister, that the government will apply Australian industry participation plan requirements to large government grants over $20 million and require publication of Australian industry participation plans and outcomes. These provisions will apply, in the Clean Technology Investment Program referenced by Senator Madigan, to grants over $20 million. In addition the government has committed $53 million to the Buy Australian at Home and Abroad initiative, and this program includes the supplier advocates. These advocates assist Australian small businesses to improve their competitiveness and win a greater share of procurement opportunities.

I would also like to add that in December 2011 the government appointed Dr Marc Newson as the Clean Technologies Supplier Advocate. The clean technologies supplier advocates strategy engages Australian businesses that manufacture and produce environmentally friendly technologies to undertake industry development activities aimed at raising their competitiveness. This will help Australian businesses, small and large, to capitalise on the growing demand for clean technologies and the high-wage, high-skilled jobs that they support and that will support our economy into the future.