Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026

Mr WILLCOX (Dawson) (18:15): Australia's strength is in the resources sector, in which 1.1 million Australians work directly or indirectly. Labor have presided over three years of resources projects, manufacturing hubs and industrial capacity closing down, thanks to their anti-investment, anti-jobs resources policy and their reckless race-to-renewables energy policy.

The safeguard mechanism has only weakened Australia's ability to compete, and companies are now making conscious decisions to cease investing in Australia and, even worse, to close their doors. Alongside this, Labor's reckless race to a renewables-only policy is driving mining and manufacturing projects offshore. In the last three years, we've seen Australia's nickel industry collapse, industrial smelters and refineries pushed to the verge of collapse, gas prices skyrocketing, energy costs going through the roof and coalmines closing their doors.

And Labor fails on securing future supply chains for our critical minerals. Nickel West, Nightstar, Mount Isa Mines, BMA, Bowen Coking Coal—these are just some of the crucial resources companies that have suffered under Labor's anti-mining agenda. In fact, just last week, Alcoa shut their alumina refinery in the resources minister's own backyard—a damning indictment of her government, which is killing Australian industry.

This is costing thousands of Australian jobs. We should be, rightly, concerned about the current approach from the Albanese Labor government. It is clear that they are either asleep at the wheel or wilfully allowing our industrial and economic base to go offshore.

The minister for climate change and the minister for industry must explain why their policy decisions, supported by their cabinet colleagues, have come at the cost of Australian jobs, investment and prosperity. Minister, how many more Australian jobs will be lost before you take action? How many more industries will collapse before you update our Critical Minerals Strategy?

When will the price of Australian gas be lower than $12 a gigajoule? Will you guarantee no gas blackouts on the east coast? Can our allies and trading partners like Korea and Japan continue to rely on Australia to deliver our crucial coal and gas supplies?

The Bruce Highway is more than just a road. It is the backbone of our regional economy and a critical link for manufacturing, freight and sovereign capability right across the state. Yet it remains one of the most dangerous and unreliable transport corridors in the country, especially in my electorate of Dawson, where we see flooding, accidents and closures.

These events bring industry and supply chains to a grinding halt. They leave communities stranded and businesses counting the cost. This government made a promise of $7.2 billion for the Bruce Highway, but, as Senate estimates have revealed—we've learnt the truth—only $432 million is actually on the table over the next three years.

So I ask the minister: will you commit to a clear, transparent timeline for the delivery of the $7.2 billion for the Bruce? Our sovereign capability is being neglected. In 2023 the Labor government stripped more than $1.2 billion from the space industry.

This government has abandoned the programs that would have built Australian satellites, created advanced manufacturing jobs and strengthened our national security. That's not just short-term thinking; it's a reckless gamble with our nation's future. In Dawson we're already showing what's possible.

In Bowen, Gilmour Space Technologies have launched their first rocket, the first launch ever from Australian soil. It's proof that we can design, build and launch right here at home. It's proof that we can lead in the most advanced industries in the world.

But imagine what we could do if the government backed this industry. When will the government restore the vital funding it stripped from our space industry and seized the opportunities to secure the future? Given the news today on the Glencore bailout, when will the minister commit to an inquiry into the health of the metals manufacturing industry in Australia?

We've asked for a Senate inquiry in the past, and that was voted down when Labor teamed up with the Greens. We need this to happen. (Time expired)