Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Industry and Innovation, Senator Ayres. The Albanese Labor government is delivering the largest pro-manufacturing package in Australian history, backing investment in new energy, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing to drive long-term growth. Can the minister explain how the government's securing well-paid jobs in our outer suburbs and regions to create a stronger, safer and more resilient future made in Australia?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator O'Neill, for that question. As somebody who's been a proud supporter in regional New South Wales and regional Australia of the government's Future Made in Australia approach, I do welcome that question. It is unambiguously about making Australia stronger; making our industrial regions and our outer suburbs, where factories are inevitably built, stronger and fairer; and rebuilding our industrial base facility by facility. This isn't, of course, about making every single thing within Australia. It's not a return to protectionism but about making our economy more complex, more productive, with good jobs, and making sure that we're more resilient in the future.

We have secured, through our interventions thus far, more than 35,000 jobs in regional economies like Mount Isa, Port Pirie, Hobart, Whyalla, Gladstone and the Hunter Valley—smelting capacity in lead and zinc and copper, aluminium and steel, and in critical minerals like gallium and antimony. There are 7½ thousand more manufacturing businesses in Australia than there were before this government took office. There is over $1.65 billion worth of investments through the National Reconstruction Fund.

This is about hard work with Australian industry to make our economy stronger and to make our nation stronger as well, and more resilient in potentially tougher times ahead, with the benefits of these investments flowing through to blue-collar jobs in engineering and trades jobs in regions like the Hunter Valley and in our outer suburbs, and in particular for young Australians. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, first supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week the Albanese Labor government announced that it will invest $2.5 billion, with the New South Wales government, to secure the future of Tomago Aluminium in the Hunter, prioritising investment in Australia's regions to increase our national resilience and deliver good-quality blue-collar jobs. Minister, how does keeping this capability onshore make Australia stronger?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) | Link to this | Hansard source

This investment is vital for our national resilience—6,000 jobs delivered in that region, secured through renewable energy, through wind and solar investments backed by gas, backed by storage.

'Alternative views', I hear Senator Colbeck say. And I saw what Mr Hastie said the other day. He blamed renewable energy for Tomago's problems. It's like blaming doctors for disease. It's like blaming ambulance drivers for car accidents. The thing that is securing the future of Tomago Aluminium, the thousands and thousands of jobs and that industrial capability—our end-to-end aluminium capability—is this government's efforts to rebuild what was left to us in a moribund, clapped-out electricity system.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, second supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Tomago Aluminium smelter supports more than 6,000 jobs across the Hunter region. Can the minister explain what this means for the workers of Tomago Aluminium and their families?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you to Senator O'Neill. This is a workplace I've been going to for 30 years in my efforts in our industrial economy. And I can tell you that, while we are focused on those issues of national resilience and industrial progress, of course it has a human dimension. I have met many of these people before, many times, over the course of my working life. Operator Luke Miller said, 'When you've got young kids, it's pretty good to be able to come home with a smile and tell them that we've got at least another 10 years.' Marcus Faulkner, who's worked there for over 30 years, said, 'Let's be honest; we were going to be out of a job.' The Prime Minister spoke to a young family—mum and dad, who worked at Tomago Aluminium, knew that they could now buy a home with confidence. It has a human dimension. These people turn up for work early and work hard, and the government is working hard for them. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

I advise the chamber that Senator Thorpe has passed her question to Senator Roberts.