Ed Husic (Chifley, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Science) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks to the member for Lyons. I'm happy to report this is a big day, a great day, with great progress made on bringing in the National Reconstruction Fund, one of the greatest investments in manufacturing capabilities in living memory. And it was driven by the Prime Minister's vision of a future made in Australia, a vision that this country should make things—that a country that makes things makes great, secure jobs. Eighty-five per cent of the jobs in manufacturing are full time. That's very important.

Australia is a land of plenty, as we know. We've got resources, both natural and human, that are the envy of the world. The government wants to put those resources to work to unlock our nation's full potential, working across government to improve skills, deliver research and secure natural resources. With the passage of the NRF legislation through the House, we're on the cusp of transforming Australian manufacturing. It's something to be proud of, something that people here are very proud of and are willing to fight for. It's something that those on the crossbench believe in and recognise as something worth fighting for.

But, in trying to progress the legislation, we had to deal with the 'no-alition'.

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