Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources, Senator Farrell. I refer to the Albanese Labor government's plan to process critical minerals here in Australia instead of shipping them overseas to be refined. On top of delivering immediate cost-of-living relief, how is the government creating secure and well-paid jobs in Australia's resources industry that will strengthen our economy and deliver a future made in Australia?

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

I thank Senator Ghosh. He's a young, new senator, but he's already impressing with the work he does on behalf of his Western Australian constituents, and he's doing that again with this very important question. The Albanese Labor government is tackling the challenges of today while ensuring prosperity into the future. Australians are still under pressure, but we've made progress in easing the cost of living for Australians. We've made sure that every taxpayer got a tax cut, that every household got energy bill relief and that people have access to cheaper child care, cheaper medicines, a stronger Medicare and fee-free TAFE. That's how you deliver cost-of-living relief—not by focusing on tax breaks for bosses' long lunches.

The Albanese Labor government is also guaranteeing our prosperity into the future. The world needs the critical minerals that are abundant under our feet, particularly in Western Australia, the engine room of our economy, and Australia will happily give them to the world. The Albanese Labor government's production tax credits, as part of the most significant budget for the resources sector in a generation, will ensure that resources aren't just mined here, in Australia, but processed locally to maximise their value. It's a no-risk approach to growing our critical minerals industry and ensuring a future made in Australia. It will create more jobs in the resources sector, especially in your state of Western Australia, Senator Ghosh, and provide secure and well-paid incomes for families right across Australia. Most importantly, it will ensure Australian workers benefit on our way to building a future made in Australia.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ghosh, first supplementary?

Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's great to hear, Minister, and it's great to hear how the Albanese Labor government is building Australia's future by processing critical minerals right here in Australia and moving us up the value chain. How will the Albanese Labor government's production tax credits create jobs in the resources sector, including in Western Australia, and who supports the production tax credits?

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

Thank you, Senator Ghosh, for your first supplementary question. It was an excellent one, I might say.

Opposition Senator:

An opposition senator interjecting—

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

Yes, well, he's an impressive senator. I know you wish you could have senators like that on your side.

Rather than shipping our critical minerals offshore to be processed, like the Liberals and the Nationals would like to do, the production tax credits will make it happen right here in Australia—and right here in Western Australia. The industry has lined up to support the Albanese Labor government's production tax credits. The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies have said that this bill needs to pass parliament, and they also say:

We need real action, and the Production Tax Incentive is exactly what industry has been seeking.

The Minerals Council of Australia supports it as well. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ghosh, second supplementary?

Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is clear that there is a lot of support from Western Australians and the resources sector for the Albanese Labor government's production tax credits. Why are the production tax credits so important to the Western Australian economy, and what is standing in the way of them being implemented?

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

Thank you, Senator Ghosh, for your second supplementary question. I know, Senator Dean Smith, you're embarrassed about the position of your party. And Senator Cash should be embarrassed too. Unlike you, a real Western Australian senator is backing the resources industry.

The Albanese Labor government's production tax credits mean more jobs and more investment in an industry that's tipped to boom as the world transitions to net zero. Yet the Liberals and Nationals are standing in the way, including you, Senator Smith, and you, Senator Cash. You've turned your backs on the resources sector. Not even Liberal senators in Western Australia are supporting it, despite how much mining contributes to that state. They've turned their back on Western Australia. They've turned their back on Western Australia. They're happy to squander the opportunity to create more jobs and grow our critical minerals industry. (Time expired)