Ellie Whiteaker (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Western Australia has long been the engine room of Australia's economy. Our iron ore industry not only built our economy; it has underpinned our nation's export strength for decades. Last year alone WA mined more than 860 million tonnes of iron ore, and behind every tonne are thousands of workers—miners, train drivers, engineers, maintenance crews, port operators, contractors and many more. Many of them are union memberless whose labour has built our nation's prosperity. Behind them are families and communities in Karratha, Port Hedland, Newman, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Onslow that depend on the stability of this industry.

But, as the world moves to net zero, the way we make and use steel must change. That is why green iron is a great opportunity for our nation. It's an opportunity that will safeguard our economy, create secure jobs and help us cut our emissions. It's an opportunity to create a new multibillion-dollar manufacturing industry. If we stand still, we risk our largest export industry being left behind. That would mean fewer jobs, a much harder path to net zero and, frankly, a weaker economy.

My union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, has been clear about what is at stake and what is possible. The AMWU has been clear about how we can do this right, guaranteeing secure union jobs and strong collective bargaining, with all green iron projects receiving the support they need for enterprise agreements and unions along the journey from day one, to ensure decent wages, safe workplaces and secure conditions. There is investment in TAFE and clean energy training, particularly in the Pilbara in hubs like Karratha and Port Hedland so that locals, apprentices and young workers have the pathways they need into the jobs of the future.

There is consultation with First Nations communities, with genuine co-ownership stakes and agreements for projects built on their land. There are commitments for local housing, child care, health and community services, so that the growth in these towns doesn't repeat the housing crises of the past. There's support for onshore processing and green steelmaking so we're not just exporting green iron but building domestic manufacturing jobs in WA and across the country.

That's why the Albanese Labor government is investing a billion dollars through the Green Iron Investment Fund to help set up new facilities and supply chains. This is a priority for our government under the Future Made in Australia plan. Our government is committed to working with industry, unions and communities to see this future come to reality. Labor will always be the party of the worker and the only party that has taken real action to work in partnership with industry, workers and community for a transition. When those opposite would rather us ship the jobs out, Labor is doing the work that we need to build the industries for the future right here under our Future Made in Australia plan. WA has always built the industries that power our nation, and we can do it again.