Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Everybody benefits from this activity. Studies indicate that, as I said, global demand for critical minerals needed for clean technology applications is going to grow exponentially over the coming decades. Australia is well placed to become a really reliable supplier of these critical minerals. Who will benefit? It's very, very simple. Our investment will mean three key things: more jobs, more export options and a stronger economy for Australia—jobs for the next generation of engineers, tradies, apprentices who will build and operate these mines; jobs in construction and infrastructure development to help get the product to market; jobs in defence, aerospace, high-end manufacturing and other sectors that will use our critical minerals; jobs to support new and emerging technologies; and overall more support for our regional communities who supply these critical minerals to the rest of the world. In short, everyone in Australia will benefit.