Jess Teesdale (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Innovation. How is the Albanese Labor government's approach to delivering reliable energy helping to secure the future of the Australian manufacturing industry and jobs? What are the risks to manufacturing jobs?

Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. I know that manufacturing is an incredibly important part of her local economy. Her community will be relieved to hear that the Tasmanian government, Hydro Tasmania and Rio Tinto have come to a 12-month in-principle electricity agreement for Bell Bay Aluminium—a business that employs 550 staff and supports nearly 300 local businesses through its supply chain.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I hear the contempt from those opposite about an aluminium smelter getting assistance on an electricity contract. It demonstrates what they think about manufacturing in this country.

This is a short-term deal but it provides breathing space for Rio and the state government to negotiate a long-term energy solution that ensures the smelter's viability. This is important because Bell Bay is a cornerstone of the local Tasmanian economy. The Albanese Labor government recognises the importance of smelters like Bell Bay, not only to the economy but to the workers and families in the community and that is why we are building a reliable energy system that will secure Australian competitiveness for decades. That is what Future Made in Australia, the capacity investment scheme and the CEFC all do. They make sure we have cheap power and in turn a vibrant and world-class industrial sector that delivers good jobs.

Opposition members interjecting—

Again, I hear interjections over there about our efforts to save manufacturing. Again, it demonstrates their contempt for manufacturing and the communities that rely on these well-paid secure jobs. Their opposition to intervention demonstrates their unfitness for government.

We are getting on with the job of supporting manufacturing in this country while those on the other side demonstrate their contempt. We saw it when they were in government as well, where they delivered 22 failed energy policies. Under their watch, 24 of 28 ageing coal-fired power stations announced they were closing within a decade when they were in power. You would hope they had learned from the past. The fact is the only way to keep the lights on and reduce power bills is to accelerate the rollout of renewables, firmed for storage and backed by peaking gas.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Lyne is now warned.

Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is the cheapest approach as well. All those opposite do is oppose and obstruct the rollout of renewables. The truth is the Liberals and Nationals aren't listening. They have no new ideas. All they have got is contempt for manufacturers, continued opposition to our efforts to make power cheaper through rolling out renewables, continued opposition to our support for industries through tailored packages. In the end, all we have from over there is obstruction, contempt for jobs and contempt for the communities that rely on those well-paid, secure, highly skilled jobs.