Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is backing local manufacturing and jobs at Capral Aluminium in my electorate of Blair. We're extending our antidumping protections to support locally made aluminium products for another five years following an investigation by the Australian Anti-Dumping Commission. These measures help maintain the value of Australian-produced aluminium extrusions, which are used in the construction, automotive, aerospace and electronics industries. The reality is that a large volume of underpriced aluminium extrusion imports into Australia are undercutting local industry prices and undermining Australian jobs and investment through unfair trade practices. Under our protections, these products will be subject to import duties if they are priced below local market values, so local products can compete on a level playing field.

Capral is Australia's largest producer of aluminium extrusions as a major facility employing more than 400 workers in Ipswich in my electorate. So this decision will help preserve local manufacturing industry and jobs. I've visited Capral many times and I support local jobs in the local industry. Free trade and fairer trade mean stronger suburbs and stronger industrial regions and mean that manufacturers like Capral Aluminium can invest with confidence in jobs, which is good for our local economy. It's all part of our Future Made in Australia plan to protect local manufacturers and secure jobs.