Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

The government's No. 1 priority is to support working people. Senators on this side of the chamber represent working families and the Gillard government understands that a strong economy underpins the industries that employ these hard-working Australians. We managed the economy through the global financial crisis to ensure that jobs kept growing. The Labor government has worked to do this since coming to office in 2007.

Australia has low unemployment of 5.2 per cent, real wages have continued to grow and we have seen the creation of 700,000 new jobs. Australia's strong economic position has been achieved while delivering on the Labor values of fairness and equity. We removed Work Choices to restore fairness to the workplace and introduced paid parental leave. We are investing more than $36 billion in transport infrastructure projects around the country and we are building the National Broadband Network, which will improve productivity and create many new business opportunities. We recognise the need to decouple economic growth from pollution and we are implementing a price on carbon. We are investing in skills and training and giving Australians a fair share of the mining boom.

However, the Gillard government is also acutely aware of the challenges our manufacturers are facing and is working side by side with Australian industries to boost their productivity and competitiveness and build a culture of innovation. Labor believes in investing in industry in challenging times with over $15 billion to be invested in creating the jobs of tomorrow, most notably in manufacturing. We are working hard to ensure Australian manufacturers have access to major investment projects, global supply chains and similar opportunities.