Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Colbeck. This is very important legislation, as you say. It has been led by Senator Carr. It sets the framework for the Clothing and Household Textile (Building Innovation Capability) Scheme, which is a key component of the Australian government’s textile, clothing and footwear innovation package, which is a project and a strategy close to Senator Carr’s heart. The BIC scheme will support and encourage innovation, and we do need to make Australian clothing and household textile manufacturers and designers internationally competitive. We are a government that is concerned to invest in manufacturing for the future. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.