Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Science, Senator Farrell. I refer to the Albanese government's plan for building Australia's future. On top of delivering immediate cost-of-living relief, how is the government creating secure and well-paid jobs in Australian manufacturing 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 Pratt for her question. Like Senator Ghosh, she is a wonderful representative of the great state of Western Australia.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What about me?

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

I'm going to come to come to you! Hold on. The Albanese Labor government is tackling the challenges of today while ensuring our prosperity into the future. We have made sure that every taxpayer got a tax cut and every household got energy bill relief. Australians have access to cheaper child care, cheaper medicines and a stronger Medicare. Yet we are looking to the future—a future built in Australia—and we are making strong progress.

In the last few months, the National Reconstruction Fund, which is rebuilding Australia's industrial base, has invested $400 million in businesses across this country, while our industry growth program is supporting dozens of companies across robotics, next-generation batteries and equipment manufacturing. These are important investments in our national future. Securing well-paid jobs in critical industries across the country will ensure that manufacturing stays onshore, helping to diversity and strengthen our economy. We recognise that a domestic steel industry is vital to building a future made in Australia, and that's why I was recently in Whyalla with that terrific Premier, Premier Malinauskas, speaking with workers—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Are you his godfather?

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

He's a wonderful, very fine fellow. We were speaking with workers and contractors at the Whyalla steelworks. Steelmaking is key to the nation's security and prosperity, and the Albanese Labor government will always stand up for our steelmaking workforce. (Time expired)

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

Senator Pratt, first supplementary?

Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's clear that the Albanese government is backing manufacturing right around the country. How else is the government creating secure and well-paid jobs in Western Australia, backing regional communities and ensuring 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 Pratt for her first supplementary question. Yesterday the Albanese Labor government's production tax credits passed the Senate, and I congratulate Senator Ayres on the terrific job he did in getting that legislation through. It was a great day for Australia but especially, Senator Pratt, for Western Australia. Consulted on and supported by industry, the Albanese Labor government's production tax credits ensure that resources aren't just mined here; that Australia processes locally to maximise their value. It means more resource sector jobs, providing secure and well-paid incomes to Western Australian families.

Yet there are those in this chamber who voted against this. I'm looking at all those over there, and I'm particularly looking at those Western Australian senators—

including you, Senator Cash; and Senator Smith, behind you; and Senator Reynolds; Senator Brockman— (Time expired)

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

Senator Pratt, second supplementary?

Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's great to hear about the impacts that the Albanese Labor government's production tax credits will have on my home state of Western Australia and the support they've received from industry. The minister has talked about a future made in Australia, but what other support is the government providing for manufacturing workers, and what is standing in the way?

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

Thank you, Senator Pratt. Minister Farrell, I remind you to address your response through me.

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

I thank you for that admonition, President, and I thank Senator Pratt for the second supplementary question. I can answer that question, Senator Pratt, because, alongside our plan for a future made in Australia, our $400 million Industry Growth Program is helping Aussie businesses grow, ensuring that we increase our manufacturing capability and, most importantly, make more things here. We've delivered energy bill relief for Australian businesses, a tax cut for every Australian and higher wages for manufacturing workers.

These measures, each and every one, have two things in common: (1) they are supporting Australian manufacturing workers, and (2) the Liberal and the National parties tried to block them. It's clear that, under the Liberals and Nationals, Australians would be worse off. They are opposed to every bit of relief. (Time expired)