Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 326 standing in my name and the name of Senator Rhiannon.

Leave granted.

I move:

(a) recognises the infrastructure projects, including inland rail construction, that the Federal Government committed to delivering in the 2017-18 Federal Budget;

(b) acknowledges that the steel producing communities of Whyalla in regional South Australia and the Illawarra in New South Wales are struggling with high unemployment and low job security; and

(c) calls on the Turnbull Government to guarantee that they will support Australian jobs by committing to a local procurement policy, mandating the use of Australian steel in infrastructure projects committed to in the 2017-18 Federal Budget.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) 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.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition government is determined to ensure the best value for money for Australian taxpayers in all infrastructure projects. The government's Australian Industry Participation Plan encourages full, fair and reasonable opportunities for Australian industry to compete for work in major public and private projects in Australia. For example, the Australian Rail Track Corporation currently has a long-term supply agreement with Arrium Steel for rail tracks sourced from the Whyalla Steelworks in South Australia. Under the new Commonwealth procurement rules, government construction procurements above $7.5 million need to consider the economic benefit of the procurement to the Australian economy, which will provide greater opportunity for Australian industry involvement in infrastructure projects while remaining consistent with our international trade agreements.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I do not wish to delay this anymore, but I want to confirm that the motion, as amended, would have a new subsection (c): 'calls on the Turnbull Government to guarantee that they will support Australian jobs by committing to a local procurement policy, including the new Commonwealth procurement rules that will maximise the use of Australian steel in infrastructure projects committed to in the 2017 federal budget'.

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

Senator Hanson-Young, could you clarify that for us? Does the amendment consist of subsection (c)?

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, it does.

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

Does that satisfy your question, Senator Gallagher?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

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

The question now is that the motion, as amended, be agreed to?

Question agreed to.