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

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes with concern that one of Australia's major steel manufacturers, Arrium OneSteel, has recently been placed into administration, highlighting the risk to Whyalla's economy and our national steelmaking capabilities;

(b) recognises the multiple pressures currently being experienced by the Australian steel industry, including the impact of a global oversupply of steel;

(c) further notes the worrying evidence presented to the Senate inquiry into Australia's steel industry on the widespread importation and use of structural steel that does not meet Australian standards and presents a threat to public safety;

(d) notes the plan announced by the Australian Labor Party to support Australia's strategically-significant metals manufacturing industries, particularly the steel industry, by:

(i) ensuring Australian standards are upheld in Federal Government-funded projects, and supporting local steel producers meet certification standards,

(ii) seeking to maximise the use of locally-produced steel in Federal Government-funded projects, and put in place regular reporting of usage levels,

(iii) halving the thresholds for projects required to have an Australian Industry Participation Plans from $500 million down to $250 million for private projects, and from $20 million to $10 million for public projects,

(iv) doubling funding for the Australian Industry Participation (AIP) Authority and appointing an AIP Board,

(v) ensuring Australia's anti-dumping system has the right powers and penalties in place,

(vi) creating a national Steel Supplier Advocate, and

(vii) establishing a tripartite Metals Manufacturing Investment Council to work closely with the Federal Government to deliver these measures;

(e) condemns the Turnbull Government's failure to take a comprehensive approach to securing the future of Australia's steel industry; and

(f) calls on the Government to take serious action to support Australia's strategically-significant manufacturing industries, particularly the steel industry.