Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to 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.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor's six-point steel plan is a thought bubble. Labor hit manufacturing with a carbon tax bill of $1.1 billion, hit the car industry with a fringe benefits tax of $1.8 billion, provided a last-minute $215 million to GM Holden and granted Alcoa $40 million in pre-closure as they forced their carbon tax on them. Under Labor, one manufacturing job was lost every 19 minutes. The Turnbull government is bringing forward large construction projects such as the Adelaide to Tarcoola rail line. To ensure a consistent and rigorous application of the Australian Industry Participation National Framework with the states and territories, the minister has placed this on the forthcoming COAG ISC agenda. The minister has also written to state and territory colleagues to secure the sustainable delivery of the Industry Capability Network services that assist projects to identify capable and competitive Australian suppliers. While Labor created an overlapping plethora of grants and entitlements, we are setting the right economic environment by reducing red tape and equipping businesses with key market information and the opportunity to expand or export competitively.

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor's motion reflects the Labor Party's top policy announced by the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, in Wollongong. The main policy points of this motion were half-heartedly welcomed by Australian steelworkers of both the AMWU and the AWU. However, it has become obvious that there is growing anger among steelworkers because both the Labor and Liberal parties refuse to support a policy to mandate the use of Australian steel for government projects. While this motion is full of comforting words and good first steps, both the AWU and the AMWU have put out press releases which essentially note that Labor has not mandated local steel in public projects. As a matter of fact, Labor's six-point plan is an absolute disgrace in terms of support for the steelworkers of Australia. This will not save jobs in this country. I am so disappointed in Bill Shorten. If this is the best you have got to secure their jobs for the future, you should be bloody ashamed of yourselves.

Question agreed to.