Future Made in Australia policy needed and should pass without delay

The Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda will drive the critical investments needed to decarbonise the economy and will secure Australia’s place in the world well into the future.

 

Witnesses to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee inquiry told the parliament the Future Made in Australia bills are needed and should pass without delay, expressing concerns for the negative impact to Australian industry and missed opportunities if these bills are not supported.

 

Taken together, the National Interest Framework, Sector Assessments and the Community Benefit Principles place a framework of rigour around public investment to the benefit of Australian industry.

The Community Benefit Principles are a critical feature of the bills and will ensure the dividends of Future Made in Australia Support are felt by the workers, First Nations communities and businesses in the supply chains that make it all possible.

 

The Committee has recommended the bills be passed and looks forward to the next stage of the Future Made in Australia agenda as it is rolled out.

 

Quotes attributable to Senator Jess Walsh:

“There is real enthusiasm and buy-in for a Future Made in Australia and what it means for industries, workers and communities across Australia.”

 

“This is one of the most significant changes to Australian industrial policies in many years and will make a real difference to the future of Australia.”

 

“The Parliament has an opportunity to send a clear signal that a Future Made in Australia is needed. Opposition to the bills will only delay the benefits to the economy and communities.”

 

Quotes from the Committee’s Inquiry:

Australian Industry Group: ‘Ai Group also welcomes and strongly supports the degree of rigour that Future Made in Australia introduces to industrial policy in Australia. The Future Made in Australia Bill establishes in legislation a National Interest Framework which identifies specific criteria for whether sectors and/or projects should warrant public investment.’

 

Michele O’Neil, Australian Council of Trade Unions: ‘[the ACTU] encourages the Senate to support the swift passage of the Bill’

 

‘The Passage of the Bill represents a critical opportunity to embed conditionalities that ensure the net zero transformation brings prosperity to Australia’s workers and communities.’

 

Tony Wood, Grattan Institute: “We are very strongly supportive of this bill in a broad sense. We’ve been supportive of an appropriate industry policy around net zero and Australia’s competitive advantage for a number of years”

“We think Australia needs this policy.”

 

Andrew McKellar, Australia Chamber of Commerce and Industry: “We support the overall thrust of the bill … We don’t see this as a fundamentally politically controversial bill. It should not be. It should be one where the parliament can do its work. It can strengthen the basic legislation that has been introduced by the government. But ultimately, we support seeing legislation in this area.”

 

Steve Murphy, Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union: “The Future Made in Australia Act represents the most significant policy shift in this area for generations.”

 

Beth Mitchell, Beyond Zero Emissions: “Australia needs Future Made in Australia to stay competitive and secure long term economic prosperity. Delaying the passage of the bill will harm Australian industry, particularly small to medium enterprises … They’re the ones who will suffer if this bill does not pass.”

 

Rob Carruthers, Liontown Resources: “We support the Future Made in Australia framework and what it is seeking to achieve, and we believe its objectives are strongly aligned with the Critical Minerals Strategy, which has bipartisan support and has been in place and refreshed for some time.”

 

Warren Pearce, Association of Mining and Exploration Companies: “We are strong supporters of the Future Made in Australia framework and ultimately the incentive package that will likely follow … we strongly support the initiative and are pleased to be part of a group of companies and industry representatives advocating for this initiative.”

 

Dr Gareth Bryant: “I hope to see the bill passed.”

 

 Shahana McKenzie, Bioenergy Australia when asked if the bills should pass said “Absolutely, yes.”

 

ENDS

 

Media contact for Senator Walsh: Riley Geary – 0402 261 235