Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Sterle, who I know as a Western Australian senator is very excited about the opportunities around critical minerals, as, might I say, are Senator Green and Senator Chisholm, from Queensland, where there are lots of opportunities too—and no doubt other states as well.

Before answering Senator Sterle's question, I do want to start by offering my sincere condolences to everyone affected by the tragic accident at Alcoa's refinery in Pinjarra, Western Australia, which is obviously also in the resources sector. Every worker has the right to a safe workplace and every worker deserves to arrive home to their family after a day's work, so we do pass on our condolences to the families and friends of those workers.

Workers are central to our resources sector, and the Albanese government is committed to developing Australia's critical minerals sector. This sector is critical to the transition to net zero, and we are making investments to support that transition to drive economic growth and create high-value jobs. As the Prime Minister recently announced in the United States, we've double the finance available under the critical minerals facility, which supports the projects required to secure the minerals of the future. I note, Senator Sterle, that there are a lot of people who've had a bit to say about the Prime Minister's international engagement, but this is an example of why it is important to have international engagement: because it delivers these types of investments that create jobs for Australians.

This facility is aligned with our critical minerals strategy, which clearly outlines our vision for Australia to be the supplier of choice of critical minerals to the world. Not only will be export our ores; we will provide more processed and refined material to capture more value here in Australia. The Albanese government is investing our ability to build, refine and manufacture things here in Australia. We want to have a future built in Australia. Our resources sector and our manufacturing sector will work hand in hand to deliver the jobs of the future.

Research from University of California Berkeley has found that every skilled job creating in advanced manufacturing creates 2.5 jobs in the local economy. (Time expired)