Address to the Federation Chamber, Grievance Debate - A Future Made in Australia

Tuesday 8 October 2024

I want to speak on the important work this government is doing to build a future made in Australia. I am aggrieved that this is a controversial topic being held up in the other place. The plan for a future made in Australia is about attracting and enabling investment; making Australia a renewable energy superpower; value-adding to our resources and strengthening economic security; backing Australian ideas, innovation, digital technology and science; and investing in people and places. These are not controversial matters, you would think. This country has critical and abundant natural endowments and a highly skilled workforce. It is well positioned to strengthen priority supply chains and become an indispensable part of the net zero global economy. This isn't about government replacing private investment. This is about government being a catalyst for investment, unlocking the private capital to build new projects, create new jobs and drive growth and prosperity. This will be complemented by a reform that holds no-one back and drives progress that leaves no-one behind, doing so in a way that better aligns our national security with our economic security.

Just as the US, UK, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Canada and so many nations around the world are safeguarding themselves against the next global shock, whether it's conflict, a pandemic, a cyberattack or another international energy crisis, Australia must follow suit. To do this, the government is investing $91 million over the next five years to accelerate the development of the clean energy workforce through expanded access to the New Energy Apprenticeship Program and investments in VET clean energy courses. It will mean investing in our people and in places like the CIT in Woden, in the heart of my electorate of Bean.

We are expanding support for women training in male-dominated industries through $55.6 million for the Building Women's Careers Program and $38.2 million to support diversity in science, technology, engineering and maths. It's a part of the government's targeted approach to meeting skills needed for a future made in Australia, including $68.4 million to attract and retain the skilled industrial workforce needed to support Defence industrial priorities.

Apologies, Member for Werriwa. It was a reminder that we have a unique opportunity to build on our vast minerals to fuel not only Australia's transition to net zero but the world's.

Making more things here in Australia, making our nation a renewable energy superpower and making our economy more resilient and more secure is something that we should all be able to support. It shouldn't be controversial to ensure that we seize those opportunities and share them with people and communities in every part of our nation. I urge those in the Senate to support our government's plans for a future made in Australia.