QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Mr CONROY (Shortland—Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Minister for Defence Industry) (14:16): I thank the member for her question and for her passionate commitment to Aussie manufacturing. I'm proud to be part of a government that is introducing a landmark national gas reservation scheme. This is about securing more affordable gas for households, business and industry.
For too long, Australia has been in the perverse situation where, despite being one of the biggest gas producers in the world, we've had shortages and price shocks at home. Australians expect us to do better and that's why this policy is so important. This is our gas and it should be used here first for our needs.
This is a landmark Labor reform delivering affordable gas for Australians and shielding the economy from global shocks. Our domestic gas reservation will deliver reliable supplies of affordable gas, drive new manufacturing investment and protect existing capacity while giving certainty to LNG exporters. Aussie resources powering Aussie jobs, Aussie manufacturing and Australia's long-term economic security—this is how you build a future made in Australia.
The Albanese government is committed to rebuilding Australia's industrial base and we are delivering. Since coming to office, manufacturing exports have grown by a massive 63 per cent and manufacturing investment is up 40 per cent. All this supports good blue-collar jobs, especially in regional communities.
I'm asked about previous approaches, so let's look at the Liberal's track record. They offshored manufacturing jobs when they were in office and they talk it down all the time. They drove the car industry to leave.
They oversaw the closure of three oil refineries, and they shut down two naval shipyards. Thousands of jobs were lost in Adelaide, Melbourne and Hunter due to callous decisions by those opposite in the former Liberal government. Now in opposition, they continue their appalling behaviour.
They celebrate when manufacturers close and jobs are lost. They stand in the way of investment in regional Australia. They voted against a $15 billion national reconstruction fund and have vowed to abolish it.
Incredibly, they voted against energy price relief for manufacturers. The truth is they have no plan for Aussie manufacturers and no plan for Aussie workers. What they don't seem to realise is you can't be for manufacturing if you're not for a gas reservation policy.
It'll be up to every Liberal and National Party member to decide whether they support reserving Aussie gas for Australians. Because the truth is, those opposite need to join us in backing this landmark reform that will power Aussie jobs, Aussie manufacturing and our long-term economic security.