Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator O'Neill again for her question. Manufacturing does matter because it creates sustainable, secure, well-paying jobs—from coders to welders, designers, researchers, process workers and everything in between—including in regional Australia and our outer suburbs. For too long, the Australian manufacturing industry has been subject to the threat of political games by the opposition. The NRF will be independently run on a commercial basis with decisions taken in the national interest, not marginal-seat politics—no colour-coded spreadsheets here. Again I call on all senators in the chamber to realise this opportunity to support Australian manufacturing and support the National Reconstruction Fund.