Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

I have now indicated on numerous occasions that Minister Husic consulted widely before bringing this bill to the parliament. As I said, I don't think there's been a minister who has been so consultative with all the various groups that needed to be consulted about the legislation. I think what you see before you today is a reflection of a bill that matches the needs of this country to start manufacturing again, to start rebuilding the manufacturing sector that was so badly treated by the former government. I've mentioned what happened to Holden in South Australia and the disgraceful way in which the former government chased that company out of this country.

This is a bill designed to reverse the nine years of neglect. It's designed to rebuild manufacturing in this country, and it's been done in opposition but now more particularly in government as a result of extensive discussion with all the stakeholders who needed to be consulted before this legislation was presented to parliament.