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

As I indicated in my earlier answer, it is not appropriate for the government to require or to force private companies receiving govern­ment grants to use specific suppliers. The local content requirements would, as I said, be in violation of our trade obligations. What I can do is reassure you, Senator Madigan, that the government is doing everything possible to make sure that Australian businesses and suppliers are aware of the program and the opportunities within the grants. A total of 2,407 people have registered for and/or attended public information sessions on the new clean technology programs—2,096 people for sessions in our capital cities and 311 people for sessions in regional centres. There have been more than 23,000 visits to the AusIndustry website about the new programs and we will continue to promote them amongst Australian small businesses operating in this sector.