Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I wish to indicate that Senator Rice would like to have her name added to the list of the movers of this motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Xenophon, Madigan, Wang and Rice, move:

That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 25 August 2016:

The state of Australia's rail industry and how government procurement, including through the Australia Rail Track Corporation, and other policy levers can improve the value for money, competitiveness, stability of work and capability of the rail manufacturing industry, with specific reference to:

(a) the importance of the national rail industry as a regional employer and activity generator, and the potential costs of further decline of rail manufacturing on the national and relevant regional economies;

(b) the state of the rail industry, barriers to growth and improved productivity, and the potential of Australia's rail industry as a skills and technology incubator, supplier of domestic rail needs as well as potential exports;

(c) the potential for Australia to benefit from a nationally coordinated approach to rail manufacturing standards and rail procurement projects given the size of the Australian rail industry; and

(d) any other related matters.

Question agreed to.