Customs Amendment (Safeguard Inquiries) Bill 2026
Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (19:41): I think the normal script says, 'Thank senators for their contribution'. I thank Senator Blyth for her contribution on the Customs Amendment (Safeguard Inquiries) Bill 2026. I find much to agree with in her outline of the issues and challenges for industry.
We as a government support free and fair trade. We have, as the Albanese government, repaired our trading relationship with China and signed free trade agreements with the European Union, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. We are a trading nation that has long relied on open rules based trades.
Australian industry is facing pressure from disruption to the global trading environment, overcapacity in certain products and persistent and rising subsidisation. Our region and our industries can be disproportionately affected by those forces. The Albanese Labor government is strengthening Australia's trade remedy system in line with our WTO obligations so it is simpler to access, more effective in practice and fit for purpose in a tougher global environment.
Safeguard actions are an important tool in maintaining our domestic capability in response to these developments. The Customs Amendment (Safeguard Inquiries) Bill 2026 will give effect to the transfer of responsibility for safeguard inquiries to a newly named Australian Trade Remedies Commission. Bringing safeguard inquiries into a single specialist body is a practical regulatory improvement that will make the system more coherent, more transparent and easier for Australian industry to navigate.
It goes to a core objective of the Albanese government's reform agenda—delivering better, more efficient regulation. We must ensure that our nation's trade remedy system is fit for purpose to address tomorrow's trade challenges. This bill helps position Australia to respond effectively and decisively to import surges from increasing industrial overcapacity that threatens our domestic manufacturers.
Included in this bill is that the commissioner must consider the public interest in making a recommendation to apply safeguard measures. This strikes the right balance to ensure that Australian industry is defended from injury caused by import surges while considering Australian consumers and complying with our international obligations. The Albanese Labor government supports free and fair trade.
When trade isn't fair or threatens our critical industrial base, we stand up for Australian workers and Australian businesses. That's why we're strengthening Australia's trade remedies regime, and that's why I commend this bill to the Senate. Question agreed to.
Bill read a second time.