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

My question is to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator Sinodinos. Minister, your department administers the Australian Industry Participation policies, which were set up to build Australian jobs by creating opportunities for Australian industry. Can you please advise the Senate how many Australian Industry Participation plans for Commonwealth projects did your department approve in 2016?

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not have the exact figure with me. I will get it for you. I will say this: I have asked my department to look at the requirements in relation to Australian Industry Participation. The reason for that is: I am aware that conversation that has occurred in this chamber and elsewhere has concerned that we give as much of an opportunity particularly to small- and medium-sized enterprises. I have taken as an example what we are trying to do in the Defence space—that is, to use government as an exemplar in terms of using government procurement to drive greater industry capability in Australia—as something that would also, I think, apply more broadly when it comes to government procurement.

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

Senator Carr, a supplementary question.

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

I thank the minister for his answer. Having recognised the concern in this chamber, can you please advise why the number of Australian Industry Participation plans for Commonwealth projects has fallen under this government from 97 in 2012 to zero—I repeat, zero—in 2016?

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What I will do is speak to my department and check what has actually occurred.

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

Senator Carr, a final supplementary question.

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

Perhaps, Minister, you could speak to your department and get an answer as to why this government has yet again walked away from Australian workers and Australian jobs.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the last 12 months, manufacturing employment has gone up. Employment across the economy is going up. We have just had the NAB survey come out today and talk about how these are the best conditions since before the GFC in terms of business confidence and the outlook for investment. We are transitioning the economy to more non-mining investment to take account of the fall-off in mining investment, so I do not accept the premise that jobs are going backwards under this government. They are going up. By the way, we do not just rely on government to create jobs. We create an environment for the private sector to create jobs.