Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Kitching, I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 24 November 2021:

The Australian manufacturing industry, with specific regard to:

(a) what manufacturing capacities Australia requires for economic growth, national resilience, rising living standards for all Australians and security in our region;

(b) the role that the Australian manufacturing industry has played, is playing and will play in the future;

(c) the drivers of growth in manufacturing in Australia and around the world;

(d) the strengths of Australia's existing manufacturing industry and opportunities for its development and expansion;

(e) the sectors in which Australian manufacturers enjoy a natural advantage in energy, access to primary resources and skilled workers over international competitors, and how to capitalise on those advantages;

(f) identifying new areas in which the Australian manufacturing industry can establish itself as a global leader;

(g) the role that government can play in assisting our domestic manufacturing industry, with specific regard to:

(i) research and development,

(ii) attracting investment,

(iii) supply chain support,

(iv) government procurement,

(v) trade policy, and

(vi) skills and training; and

(h) the opportunity for reliable, cheap, renewable energy to keep Australia's manufactured exports competitive in a carbon-constrained global economy and the role that our manufacturing industry can play in delivering the reliable, cheap, renewable energy that is needed.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We supported Senator Kitching's initial motion to have an inquiry into manufacturing. It was withdrawn by the Labor Party. Now we see why it has come back. It talks about a decarbonised world and targeting only renewable energy. We cannot support that. We would support an inquiry conducted into the impact of all energy options. We cannot support this.

Question agreed to.