Penny Allman-Payne (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to begin by thanking the government for the constructive approach that they've taken in relation to the negotiations for the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Bill 2023. I hope that we can continue in that vein as we proceed to discussing upcoming bills on housing. The Greens took a policy for a manufacturing fund to the election, and we strongly support public investment in rebuilding manufacturing in Australia. The amendments that the Greens secured in the House will ensure that the National Reconstruction Fund will be focused on creating high-quality jobs across a diverse economy, particularly in regional Australia. We note that the previous government did try and use public money through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to fund coal and gas. They were unable to do so because of the guardrails that had been put in place on that bill by the Greens and Labor. We are pleased that we now have the same assurance that the NRF won't be used to fund the climate crisis.

With respect to the government's amendment on sheet UC140, I wish to indicate that the Greens will be supporting that amendment, which, amongst other things, means that the board must have regard to the Paris climate targets when making investment decisions. This is absolutely essential in a climate crisis. We also welcome the additional amendments, which require the board to have regard to the desirability of creating secure jobs. A thriving industry base relies on the reversal of the trend of casualisation and insecure work. We support viable industries driven by good jobs and powered by renewables. At this point, I want to foreshadow that we are also in support of the amendment by Senator Pocock on sheet 1895. We are not just in a climate crisis; we are also in a biodiversity crisis, with the sixth mass extinction underway. The Greens welcome this amendment from Senator Pocock and any consideration the NRF has towards biodiversity loss.

During the inquiry into this bill and also into the National Energy Transition Authority Bill, the importance of taking a regional development approach to decarbonising our economy and the value of creating renewable energy industrial precincts were relayed by a number of witnesses. My question to the minister is: Can the minister confirm whether the NRF will be able to create industrial green energy hubs within existing industrial areas? If so, can the government provide examples of places where renewable energy industrial precincts could be developed using funds from the NRF? For example, would the NRF be able to invest in the development of green energy hubs in existing industrial zones in places like Gladstone, Townsville and the Hunter Valley?