Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

The coalition government takes very seriously the development of Australia's critical minerals industry. Senator Canavan more than anybody else in this place, I'm sure, has contributed to that focus, including the joint announcements he made in the development of Australia's Critical Minerals strategy and the new financing measures to help build the critical minerals sector. Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India includes an MOU on cooperation in the field of mining and processing of critical and strategic minerals to increase the flow of trade, investment and R&D in critical minerals, including rare earths. We've taken a significant step towards establishing ourselves as a reliable supplier of the critical minerals needed to grow India's manufacturing sector and its defence and space capabilities as we seek to grow our own. The Critical Minerals Facilitation Office is regularly engaged with its Indian counterparts to highlight Australia's potential as a reliable supplier of rare earths elements, and the MOU will strengthen that ongoing dialogue and trade. (Time expired)