This bill became law on Dec 10th, 2024.
Budget, tax & economy
Export Finance AustraliaThe government lender that the bill gives wider powers to support projects seen as in Australia's national interest. can now back more Australian projects that strengthen economic security or help cut emissions, using insurance, guarantees and loans as well as other forms of finance and equity investmentA type of funding where the public body takes an ownership stake in a project rather than only lending money..
Existing Export Finance AustraliaThe government lender that the bill gives wider powers to support projects seen as in Australia's national interest. and ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. rules left too little support for projects that strengthen economic security, cut emissions and build clean-energy manufacturing in Australia. This bill expands what both agencies can fund, adds a ministerial referral path for certain fossil-fuel-related proposals, and gives ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. longer-term funding.
After Labor took a 2022 election commitment to rebuild Australian manufacturing into its Future Made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect. agenda, the government argued that existing Export Finance AustraliaThe government lender that the bill gives wider powers to support projects seen as in Australia's national interest. and ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. rules were too narrow for a period shaped by industrial decline, the clean-energy transition and stronger overseas investment incentives such as the United States Inflation Reduction Act. The bill responded by widening both agencies' investment roles, creating a ministerial referral path for some fossil-fuel-linked proposals and locking in longer-term ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. funding, before Parliament passed it in late 2024 and Royal AssentThe final step that turns the passed bill into law. turned the changes into law.
Critics said the bill relies on heavy government spending and minister-led intervention that could pick winners, add bureaucracy and inflation, and still fail to lower business costs or build a stronger manufacturing base. That broader case was pushed by Coalition speakers, while some crossbench support remained conditional on tighter transparency, guardrails and public oversight of funding decisions.
Chris Bowen MPAn elected federal parliamentarian; the page uses MP in speech and amendment descriptions. introduced this bill. It passed with support from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, some crossbench members; opposed by Liberal Party, Nationals, UAP, some crossbench members.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 10 Dec 2024
Final passage
Recorded final vote
1 counted final-passage vote was recorded.
Passage speed
160 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Export Finance AustraliaThe government lender that the bill gives wider powers to support projects seen as in Australia's national interest. can now back more Australian projects that strengthen economic security or help cut emissions, using insurance, guarantees and loans as well as other forms of finance and equity investmentA type of funding where the public body takes an ownership stake in a project rather than only lending money..
Export Finance AustraliaThe government lender that the bill gives wider powers to support projects seen as in Australia's national interest. cannot fund coal, oil or gas extraction, related extraction infrastructure, or investments that only use those fuels unless the application is sent to the minister for approval.
The minister can approve an Export Finance AustraliaThe government lender that the bill gives wider powers to support projects seen as in Australia's national interest. loan for a national-interest project, including finance or equity-style investments, after the project has gone through the new referral process.
The Australian Renewable Energy AgencyThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. can now support technologies that replace fossil fuels with electricity, improve energy efficiency, and help manufacture clean energy technology in Australia.
The Australian Renewable Energy AgencyThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. gets long-term annual funding through to 2038-39, with unused money able to roll into the next year and extra amounts able to be added by regulation within a $3.98 billion cap.
(1) EFIC may do one or more of the following for the purposes of EFIC’s national economy and net zero functions:Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Act 2024 final Act text
Despite any other provision of this Part, EFIC must not provide a service or product under this Part that would:Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Act 2024 final Act text
(4B) The Minister may approve of EFIC making a loan under section 23B if the Minister is satisfied that it is in the national interest that EFIC make the loan.Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Act 2024 final Act text
An amendment to ARENA’s functions allows financial assistance to be provided for the manufacture of renewable energy technologies as well as related electrification, energy efficiency and enabling technologies. This change is mirrored in section 14 of the ARENA Act to provide that manufacturing is another constitutional basis upon which ARENA may perform its functions.Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) explanatory memorandum
ARENA’s maximum payments under a limited special appropriation for each financial year are extended until the end of the 2038-39 financial year with additional funding amounts able to be prescribed by regulations or otherwise appropriated through the annual Federal Budget process.Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) explanatory memorandum
Context
After Labor took a 2022 election commitment to rebuild Australian manufacturing into its Future Made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect. agenda, the government argued that existing Export Finance AustraliaThe government lender that the bill gives wider powers to support projects seen as in Australia's national interest. and ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. rules were too narrow for a period shaped by industrial decline, the clean-energy transition and stronger overseas investment incentives such as the United States Inflation Reduction Act. The bill responded by widening both agencies' investment roles, creating a ministerial referral path for some fossil-fuel-linked proposals and locking in longer-term ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. funding, before Parliament passed it in late 2024 and Royal AssentThe final step that turns the passed bill into law. turned the changes into law.
Labor makes Future Made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect. an election commitment
Government speakers later described rebuilding manufacturing and industry through a Future Made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect. agenda as a major Albanese Labor commitment at the 2022 federal election.
Hansard ↗Government introduces the omnibus bill to expand investment tools
The Treasurer introduced the bill as the measure that would let Export Finance AustraliaThe government lender that the bill gives wider powers to support projects seen as in Australia's national interest. and ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. make investments aligned with the government's national-interest and Future Made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect. goals.
Hansard ↗Debate ties the bill to manufacturing decline and the US subsidy race
During the House debate, members argued Australia needed a stronger response to shrinking domestic manufacturing capacity and to overseas clean-technology incentives led by the United States Inflation Reduction Act.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses agreed on the final text, clearing the way for wider financing powers for national-interest and clean-energy projects and longer-term ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. funding arrangements.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns the passed bill into law. makes the changes law
Royal AssentThe final step that turns the passed bill into law. completed the process and formally enacted the expanded mandates for Export Finance AustraliaThe government lender that the bill gives wider powers to support projects seen as in Australia's national interest. and ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects..
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Referred to Committee (04/07/2024): SenateThe upper house of Parliament, which also debated and amended the bill before it passed. Economics Legislation Committee; Committee report (06/09/2024)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 82 to 55.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber. Later message exchanges with the other chamber were still recorded afterwards.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 33 to 23.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
Recorded vote: 33 to 24.
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Third reading agreed to :
The House dealt with SenateThe upper house of Parliament, which also debated and amended the bill before it passed. amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.
Consideration of SenateThe upper house of Parliament, which also debated and amended the bill before it passed. message
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns the passed bill into law., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
Critics said the bill relies on heavy government spending and minister-led intervention that could pick winners, add bureaucracy and inflation, and still fail to lower business costs or build a stronger manufacturing base. That broader case was pushed by Coalition speakers, while some crossbench support remained conditional on tighter transparency, guardrails and public oversight of funding decisions.
Criticism ranged from outright opposition to narrower governance concerns from supportive crossbench MPs.
Government picking winners at public cost
Opponents argued the bill leans on subsidies, loans and government direction instead of fixing energy, productivity and cost pressures facing manufacturers, risking more bureaucracy, inflation and waste without delivering stronger industry.
Weak safeguards around funding decisions
Some supportive crossbench MPs said the bill was too vague about how projects would be assessed and wanted stronger transparency, guardrails and integrity measures so public money would crowd in private investment rather than replace it.
Further sources
Votes
The chamber-passage votes come first. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Passed 33 to 24. Support came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and UAP. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Earlier bill-stage votes
Passed 82 to 55. Support came from Labor. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Centre Alliance. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Passed 83 to 52. Support came from Labor. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Centre Alliance. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Passed 33 to 23. Support came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and UAP. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
House
Passed 75 to 63. Support came from Labor. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Centre Alliance. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This was a procedural vote to stop further debate and force the chamber to move on to the remaining consideration-in-detail questions.
Passed 86 to 55. Support came from Labor and Greens. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Centre Alliance. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
These amendments improved the bill’s accountability settings before the bill was agreed to later that day.
Passed 76 to 63. Support came from Labor. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Centre Alliance. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This was another procedural step that accelerated the chamber toward final passage after the amendment stage had been completed.
Passed 82 to 55. Support came from Labor. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Centre Alliance. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This was the House’s final passage vote on the bill after consideration in detail and amendments were completed.
Passed 80 to 34. Support came from Labor, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party and Nationals.
This was the final House step needed to resolve the SenateThe upper house of Parliament, which also debated and amended the bill before it passed.’s changes and complete parliamentary passage.
This amendment would change the bill text so ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. is treated as a Commonwealth public authority for long service leave law.
This amendment would change the bill text so ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. is treated as a Commonwealth public authority for long service leave law.
Passed on the voices
The chamber agreed to this amendment without a counted vote — the presiding officer judged the ayes louder than the noes, and no member called for a division.
The House agreed to the amendments made by the SenateThe upper house of Parliament, which also debated and amended the bill before it passed., so the bill could pass both chambers in the same form.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senate
Passed 33 to 24. Support came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and UAP. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
These amendments pushed the bill toward excluding fossil-fuel-linked support and sharpening the climate and sector-test language before final passage.
The APH progress record says five government amendments were agreed on voices in the SenateThe upper house of Parliament, which also debated and amended the bill before it passed..
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The SenateThe upper house of Parliament, which also debated and amended the bill before it passed. defeated on voices the remaining committee amendments in the package dealing with Future Made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect. support and fossil-fuel activities.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The SenateThe upper house of Parliament, which also debated and amended the bill before it passed. defeated on voices the further committee amendments listed in the journal for sheets 2880, 2881, 2878 and 2879.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
This list includes amendment votes, procedural votes and votes on the bill itself.
The parliamentary record also shows 5 Government amendments agreed without a counted division.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Bowen supports the bill and says it will put the Future Made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect. framework into practice by expanding Export Finance AustraliaThe government lender that the bill gives wider powers to support projects seen as in Australia's national interest. and ARENAThe public agency that the bill expands so it can back more clean energy technology and industry projects. so they can back strategic investment in the national interest.
Read in Hansard ↗Taylor says the coalition will oppose the bill because it is the wrong way to support manufacturing and will not deliver a stronger economy.
Read in Hansard ↗Chaney supports the bill as a step toward a long-term industry policy for the green transition, but says it is messy and vague and needs stronger transparency, guardrails and assessment rules.
Read in Hansard ↗Spender supports the bill in principle and wants the Future Made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect. agenda to pass, but says the legislation is not yet strong enough because it lacks the transparency, guardrails and sector assessment process needed to avoid waste and rent seeking.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
52 speakers · 58 contributions · 52 support
“But the Future Made in Australia Bill represents a government taking that necessary action—a step towards rebuilding our manufacturing sector, creating secure jobs, and ensuring a resilient and sustainable economic future, with a Made in Australia logo on top.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This Omnibus Bill will allow key government agencies to put their shoulders to the wheel—”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“By contrast, the Albanese Labor government believes strongly in a future made in Australia—a future where we value-add, a future where we grow the manufacturing sector, and a future where well-paid, high-skilled Australian manufacturing workers can plan a future, raise a family, buy a house and have a great future in this country. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Labor understands the resources sector. One of the reasons we have a great advantage in the resources sector is that we represent the workers in that sector. They are the ones that I know stand to benefit. This will benefit generations of workers, moreover, because the production tax incentives will create generations of work in new industries right across the country, so we can have a Future Made in Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I speak in favour of the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and the Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024.This legislation is a supportive and measured response to the global climatic and international economic circumstances that the government must respond to.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is absolutely critical. We had such a wasted decade under those opposite in all the areas I've talked about. They abandoned the field entirely. The Future Made in Australia legislation brings together our policy work in this space. It's an effective, practical strategy for Australia to seize this opportunity in energy transition. This is about unlocking private sector investment to build a stronger, more diversified and more resilient economy powered by renewable energy that creates secure, well-paid jobs. It embeds into law a disciplined and rigorous approach that will govern Future Made in Australia investments.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“A future made in Australia is something that we should be backing wholeheartedly. It's not about politics; it's about backing the Australian workers, designers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs. It's about backing the Australian economy. Rather than sit there and hope for the best, let's put our shoulders to the wheel and get out there and actually deliver what needs to be delivered for a better nation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“That's exactly what the Future Made in Australia agenda is about—shaping the future and responding to the realities of the world, not the fantasy that we still live in the 1980s and can still run the same economic agenda, when the world has fundamentally changed. It's a very simple plan, in essence. We want Australia to be a country that makes more things here, because making more things here will grow our economy and create good jobs, spreading opportunity around the country, making the most of the natural resources and the advantages that we have—cheap, reliable renewable energy, a skilled workforce and an educated population—making more things here, making us more wealthy, more secure and more independent and building our resilience to future economic and strategic shocks. It's an economic plan for a better future.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The bill and omnibus bill deliver on key elements of the government's Future Made in Australia plan announced by the government in the 2024-25 budget. They impose rigour on government decision-making and help give investors the clarity and certainty they need to invest and unlock growth in our economy. It's really important that they have clarity and certainty to invest now, unlike with the previous government, who had 26, 27—I've lost count—29 different climate change policies. Who was going to invest in that particular political climate? No-one. We are committed to making more things here in Australia to build a stronger, more diversified and more resilient economy powered by clean energy and to create more secure well-paid jobs around the country.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Those opposite, as I've said, are going to say no to this bill. That's not a surprise. I can't think that they've said yes to anything in the last two years. They say no to energy price relief, no to relief households and no to the responsible management of a budget that has delivered two surpluses after nine years in which there were eye-watering deficits as far as the eye can see, the tripling of the debt, the doubling of the debt before COVID occurred, unbelievable waste in programs like JobKeeper that blew $20 billion up against the wall on companies whose profits rose through the pandemic. There was every kind of bad governance that you could possibly imagine. Now that they're no longer sitting behind the wheel as it just spun aimlessly around, they say no to every single thing we do to try to clean up that mess, put Australia back on a sound budget position and guide Australia towards the future that Australians deserve: a high-quality future, an optimistic future, a future that does involve manufacturing, that does allow us to be a regional—in some cases, global—leader on the big challenges, on the net zero economy translation, on the energy transformation, on tackling climate change. That's what people want. That's what this government is delivering.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“When we look at this bill and we look at the development of a national interest test—which I believe is critical and a really important part of this overarching framework, based on comparative advantage and rigorous evaluation of resilience—coupled with sector assessments, this is going to be a significant step forward in Australia's consideration of its future economic development opportunities.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I think Australia is a great manufacturing nation, and under this bill we have a bright future as a manufacturing nation. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The only thing that Australia does not have is time to waste, so, with optimism, with determination and with purpose, I commend this bill for a future made in Australia to this House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I absolutely support a Future Made in Australia. That's why I'm supporting this bill today. It is a game changer for our manufacturing industry, at a time when we really need a government that believes in Australian ideas and gets behind them. This important bill is also designed to ensure transparency and to ensure appropriate decision-making around those two streams, the net zero economy and the capabilities that we need in order to ensure that we are investing in the industries and ideas that will benefit the most from that government investment. That's why I'm supporting this bill today.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Let's be clear: the Future Made in Australia bills aren't just about policy. They're about people. They're about those Australians who deserve the opportunity to work in those industries—to make things in this country again, to develop and to work to make sure that we are economically resilient, self-sufficient and self-reliant and that we are not exposed to the risks that are likely over the horizon. That's why I support these bills. It's about the men and women who get up every morning, put on their workboots and head out to those factories, workshops and plants across this country. We will support them with this policy.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“It's important to note that this bill is not about government replacing private investment. It's about government being a catalyst for investment and unlocking the private capital to build new projects, create new jobs and drive growth and prosperity.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Lisa Darmanin on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Darmanin strongly supports the bill, saying it is ambitious and long-lasting and will help invest in workplaces, strengthen sovereign capability and support more manufacturing in Australia.
“I've only recently joined my parliamentary colleagues in the Senate, but in this short time I've already witnessed the important and ambitious work being done by the Albanese government. In my first speech I spoke about what government is for and the importance of making our time in government count. Today I rise extremely proudly in support of the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 to do exactly that. This bill is ambitious and long-lasting. It is exactly the kind of policy that's crucial for investing in our workplaces and securing our sovereign capability. It's about shaping the future we want for our country—a future where our incredibly skilled workers make more things right here in Australia.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Darmanin supports the bill and says it is needed to rebuild Australian manufacturing, create secure jobs, and steer investment into clean energy and other future industries. She argues it will make public investment deliver concrete benefits for workers, communities and local supply chains.
“With this bill we are building a strong, skilled and inclusive workforce. We are making sure that our regions, those that have traditionally powered Australia, are at the forefront of the net zero transition. This is about realising the opportunities for workers, communities and businesses right across the country. We are planning for the long term and we are doing it with the Australian people in mind. I am proud to stand in support of this bill today.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“Our government is investing in a future made in Australia because we want to unlock private investment in future industries and bring new jobs and opportunities to communities across the country. I'm an optimist. I'm always hopeful for this country. I'm really ambitious for our country and our communities. This is a really ambitious, optimistic policy that's about building a really wonderful future for everyone in this country. This is about maximising the economic and industrial benefits of the global transformation to net zero and securing Australia's place in a changing global economic and strategic landscape. It will help Australia build a stronger, more diversified and more resilient economy. Powered by renewable energy, it will create more secure, well-paid jobs and encourage and facilitate the private sector investment required to make Australia an indispensable part of the global net zero economy. This is a wonderful chance for us to seize the opportunities presented to us, and I urge those opposite to really reconsider their position on this.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The golden opportunity in front of us as a parliament will disappear if we don't take the steps to support this bill's passage through this parliament. The Australian people have already suffered enough through a decade of denial and delay under those opposite, and if the coalition had their way there'd be another wasted decade ahead going down a nuclear road to nowhere. This government has chosen a better path—a path to prosperity, a path backed by evidence and supported by science and a path that will be rigorously interrogated and transparently explained to the Australian people. It's a path that uplifts all Australians of every community, not just some. It's a path that leads to a future made right here in Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'm very proud to be standing and supporting this bill. I challenge those opposite to take their heads out of the sand, look at the world we live in, look at the potential Australia has, and say to every Australian: 'You know what? We believe in you. We believe Australians can really rise to these challenges if they get support from government. Even better, what if they have the support of this whole parliament?' I'm very pleased to see us leading this charge, and I urge them to catch up.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We are taking action to deliver Australia's next generation of prosperity. Get on board or get out of the way. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“At the end of the day, the Future Made in Australia Bill will do three critical things. It empowers the government's new National Interest Framework to identify where we have a genuine advantage over other countries as we transition to net zero economy. This ensures that we enter this new economy on the strongest foot possible, playing to our strengths. It establishes a robust sector assessment process to help improve understanding of how government can best leverage private investment in areas of the economy aligned with the framework and help inform rigorous government decision-making. It defines a set of community benefit principles to ensure that the benefits of the Future Made in Australia support, and the private sector investment it enables, flow to local communities, workers and businesses. We need this bill for our country to grow and our economy to boom in years to come. This bill is good for industry, good for our economy and good for jobs. It's a win for all.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We need to replicate this success, and that's why I stand to support these bills, the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and the Future Made in Australia Bill (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024, which will make this plan a reality. These bills are built on three key components. Firstly, the National Interest Framework will ensure funding is delivered to projects that drive our nation, so we can become a renewable superpower while strengthening our local manufacturing industries. Secondly, sector assessments will identify which industries are best positioned to achieve these goals. And thirdly, community benefit principles will ensure our workers, our communities and our regions thrive as result of government investment.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We know how important it is to drive our economy and to address climate change. We know how important it is to provide jobs, which are essential to our economic growth.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Our government is one that is prepared to step up and do its part to fund the apprenticeships, to attract the investments, to build the infrastructure, to boost the industries and to back the brightest ideas. That's what a future made in Australia is all about—a stronger economy made right here. I commend this bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We won't do what those opposite did. We know that we need to build resilience in our economy and that we need to diversify our economy, and this is exactly what the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 does. It is a plan to grow Australia's economic future and prosperity. It is a large, ambitious and bold plan, and it needs to be.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This legislation will ultimately make a huge difference to the long-term prosperity of our country. It has always been Labor governments that have shown leadership and brought major reform to this country. This is reform that is now needed, and, as I said earlier on, it goes hand in glove with our need transition to a lower-emissions energy source. We have the advantages, we have the resources, and right now is the right time to do it. I say to members opposite: sure, you can pick holes in the legislation if you want, and I have no doubt that there will be issues here and there that you can pick on. But look at the big picture of where this legislation wants to take us. Rather than pick holes in it, ensure that, once the legislation and the processes are underway, we adhere to the direction that we want to go. If we need to be steered back on track for one reason or another, that's the time to come back to this parliament and say, 'This could have been done better,' or, 'That should have been done a different way,' rather than throwing out the whole direction that this legislation would take us in. Frankly, I think this will be the biggest reform this country will see for years to come if we're able to pull it together, and we can only do that with the support of everyone in this parliament. I commend the legislation to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is worth voting for, and I dare those opposite to back Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Let's not make that same mistake of the past. We must be a bold country that is a smart country—a country that knows our best days are ahead of us, not behind us. We can and we will make the best products right here for domestic and international consumption. I'm backing a future made in Australia. I'm backing the Prime Minister and his leadership. I'm hoping that those in this chamber will back Australians and will back Australia's economy to be stronger in the future and to seize the opportunity to lead, not live in the past.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I commend the government's commitment to build a future made in Australia, a future with a strong and diverse economy and a future that provides greater opportunity and job security for everyone, not just a few. I call on everyone in this House to get behind Australia's manufacturing future and support the creation of more secure, well-paid jobs. Failing to do so means more of the same. It means going backwards, not forwards, where we need to be going. Together we can build a future where our economy is stronger, our communities are thriving and our jobs are secure and well paid. This is why I commend the bill to the House, and I encourage members in the House to all get behind it.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak in support of the Albanese Labor government's Future Made in Australia Bill, and this is a very important and, indeed, most significant step in implementing the government's agenda to help build a stronger economy as well as a more diverse and more resilient economy powered by renewable energy.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The big challenge we face is making the transition to net zero. What our Future Made in Australia legislation aims to do is to build up and mobilise Australian manufacturing to make the things that reduce emissions, using Aussie know-how, that will create a lot of secure, well-paying jobs in the process, especially in our regions. With this bill, we are charting a better and stronger direction to continue the task of rebuilding our industrial and manufacturing base and restore our manufacturing prowess.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is about us seizing the economic opportunities that have come alongside doing the work to tackle the climate crisis, setting our country up to be a superpower when it comes to renewable energy, to take the opportunities that are there, and to build the jobs and industries of the future. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I speak in support of Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and the Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024. These bills impose rigour on government decision-making and help give investors the clarity and certainty they need to invest and unlock growth in our economy. We want to attract and mobilise more investment. The National Interest Framework in the Future Made in Australia Bill will help identify where Australia has a genuine comparative advantage in the net zero economy, where we have economic security and resilient imperative. This is a smart and considered framework, and this legislation also establishes a robust sector assessment process to help improve understanding of how government can best leverage private investment in the area of economy aligned with the framework.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“These incentives are what the Future Made in Australia Bill stands to offer, and why Hysata has openly endorsed it in our recent submission.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“You would think that growing new Australian jobs and industries would unite this place, but no. It's all opposed—as we've heard in speech after speech—by those opposite, who've confirmed that they won't be supporting the Future Made in Australia legislation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill steps out how we will put the discipline and the rigour established in the Future Made in Australia Bill into practice by expanding the roles of Export Finance Australia and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. I'm very excited about it. I'm very positive about this bill. We have a government that at last sponsors manufacturing and is doing its best to prepare Australia and future generations for a prosperous future.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 supports Australia's path to net zero. But, more than that, it will help to realise our potential to become a renewable energy superpower, securing Australia's place in a changing global landscape. This bill is about combining the might of Australian industry, energy, resources, skills and investment to build a stronger, more diversified and resilient economy, and a better future for all Australians.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“With the Future Made in Australia Bill, we are setting a new course that prioritises Australian workers, supports local businesses and builds a sustainable future. We are committed to ensuring that Australia not only recovers from past mistakes but also emerges stronger and more competitive than ever. I want to thank the ministers who have worked on this bill, especially Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, for their vision. I commend this bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In conclusion, the Future Made in Australia Bill is an important part of our plan to make things here, grow our economy, create jobs, join the global energy transition and make real and practical steps towards tackling climate change. This is a bold plan to set our country up for the future, starting today. I couldn't be prouder to be associated with it, and I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As those on my side of the House have recognised and said in their speeches on this bill, this particular bill looks to unlock private investment in future industries, bringing new jobs and opportunities to areas across our country—particularly to the regions.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We cannot and must not look over our shoulders, because we don't have time to waste. Right now, the world is moving forward to renewable energy, and for us, as the sunniest, windiest continent on the earth, this is our moment. More than anywhere else on the earth, Australia is set to gain new jobs, new industries, and new skills. Our future is made in Australia. That's what A Future Made in Australia is all about—a stronger economy made right here. But we need a government prepared to step up and do its part to fund apprenticeships, attract investment, build infrastructure, boost industries and back the ideas. That's what this bill does. I commend the bill to the House in the full confidence it reflects the confidence we should have in ourselves as a nation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I say again: if we get stuck in the past, this country, our country, will be the poorer for it. I want to see opportunities, incomes and living standards growing on the Central Coast and around the country not just in the short term but over the decades to come. This bill is good for Australians. It's good for the regions. It's good for our economy. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Nita Green on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Green supports the bill, saying it is needed to back local manufacturing, secure jobs and the Cairns economy while helping Australia move to net zero. She argues it will strengthen regional communities and defence and marine industry opportunities, and criticises the Liberal and National parties for voting against it.
“It is really important that we support this bill, and that's why I'm doing that, to support the local community in Cairns.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Green supports the bill, saying it will help bring manufacturing back to Australia, strengthen regional industry and create more secure local jobs. She criticises the opposition for voting against it and presents it as part of building a future made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect..
“What this bill does is set in place a plan for this country to make more things here at home. We need to bring manufacturing back home to Australia, and we need to bring manufacturing back home to regional Australia.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Jana Stewart on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Jana Stewart supports the bill because she says it will give investors clarity and help unlock the economic opportunities of the shift to renewable energy. She presents it as a transparent process for deciding where Australia should invest to create jobs and attract private capital.
“This is precisely what the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 is about—providing that clarity and unlocking opportunities for all Australians to benefit from the global shift to renewable energy. This bill does this by giving the government the authority to ask Treasury to evaluate an industry and decide if Australia should invest in it and how to attract private investment.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Jana Stewart supports the bill, saying it should lock community benefit principles into law so the Future Made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect. program delivers secure Australian jobs and shares the gains from the clean energy transition. She also backs the new First Nations benefit principle because she wants First Nations communities and traditional owners to share directly in the opportunities created by these projects.
“Including the community benefit principles in this bill embeds into law that every Australian is part of this transition to clean energy. It embeds into law that no-one is to be left behind and that the benefits are to be shared by all.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“The Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 is all about seizing the opportunities that come with this. It is about securing our place in a global economic and strategic landscape that's quickly changing. One thing COVID reminded us was that we need to do things for ourselves. We need to build more things right at home, here.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Michelle Ananda-Rajah on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Michelle Ananda-Rajah strongly supports the bill and says it is needed to back Australian manufacturing, clean industry and jobs in the net zero transition. She argues it helps overcome global market distortions and gives young Australians a pathway to secure, high-tech work, and she calls on the House to pass it.
“The next election will be a choice between a future made in Australia and a future made overseas. Instead of doubling down on the past and more of the same, which, frankly, I think is untenable—it means digging up and shipping stuff out and doubling down on coal and gas—we have an opportunity to value-add to our natural resources and our human capital in this country and turn Australia from the fossil fuel giant that it currently is to the sun king. I commend this bill to the House.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Michelle Ananda-Rajah strongly supports the bill, saying it is part of a plan to rebuild manufacturing, strengthen national security and create secure, well-paid jobs. She argues Australia must move beyond decline by adding value to its resources and backing sovereign industrial capability.
“I rise to speak in strong support of the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and the Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024.. A Future Made in Australia is a blueprint for sustainable economic growth, for reindustrialising our nation and for national security. It is a pushback against the politics of pessimism that has sent our manufacturing sector into meltdown and sent secure, well-paid jobs to the wall.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“That's why it's important that we pass these bills. The time to act on this is now. The world is changing, with or without Australia, and the golden opportunity in front of us will disappear if we take too long. And if we get stuck in the past our people will be poorer, our economy will be weaker and our country will be more vulnerable. That's why we need to progress this legislation that is before the House and why I'm proud to commend these bills to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Jess Walsh on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Walsh supports the bill and says it is part of Labor's plan to drive a Future Made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect. by backing net zero, economic resilience and strategic industries. She argues it will modernise the economy, attract private investment, and give government a clearer framework for where public support should go.
“These bills are about setting us up to prosper from change, not to protect ourselves from it. They will provide an appropriate framework to modernise our economy and deliver industrial policies backed by the evidence and the rigour that is needed to grow investment in priority industries.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Jess Walsh supports the bill and says it is needed to lock in a Future Made in AustraliaThe government's industry and investment agenda that this bill is meant to put into effect. framework that delivers good jobs, stronger local supply chains and community benefits from the net zero transition. She argues it has broad backing from industry and unions and says the parliament should pass it.
“These bills are important to Australians now. They are important to creating good, secure jobs across our country and in our regions. They are important to Australian communities harnessing the benefit of the net zero transformation that we are currently experiencing and that we are driving as a government.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“A future made in Australia is quite simple and, frankly, deserving of support from every member in this House if we wish to have a country that has sovereignty and is able to support our own needs in the community.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This omnibus bill will allow key government agencies to put their shoulders to the wheel—to help make investments that put our agenda into action, underpinned by the discipline and rigour the first bill rightly demands.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Joanne Ryan on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Ryan strongly supports the bill, saying it is about building sovereign capability, making more things in Australia, and creating good jobs. She frames it as a response to years of manufacturing decline and criticises opponents for lacking faith in Australian industry and workers.
“This piece of legislation is about just that. It's about building hope. It's about building things. It's about Australia returning to a place of sovereign capability. It's about Australia returning to being a country that actually believes in its people and believes its people can innovate, can create and can make things here.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Ryan समर्थन करती हैं the bill and says it is an opportunity to drive Australian manufacturing, create jobs and back regional industry and innovation. She criticises the opposition for lacking faith in Australia's ability and for trying to stand in the way of progress.
“In closing, I find it incredibly disappointing those opposite, from opposition, want to stand in the way of Australia moving forward. I know that that's echoed in the place I represent. They want to move forward. They want to be a place where manufacturing occurs. They want a better life for their children than you left them after a decade in office.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
49 speakers · 50 contributions · 49 oppose
“There is a better way. The Labor Party's MIA bill is not the way forward. It will not create a prosperous, strong manufacturing sector that will create jobs and opportunities for Australians across this great nation. That is not the way forward. There is a better way forward. We will continue to put that way forward. That is embedded in the amendment that I have just circulated in my name.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The bills we are debating here today—the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and the Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024—really do send a message to the Australian public and our key trading partners that this Albanese government is turning its back on being an open and efficient trading nation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This goes to the heart of this bill. This Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 sounds absolutely wonderful. It sounds great. But, when you start examining it closely, you realise very quickly that this is more of a strategy to win re-election. It is more of a pork-barrelling fund, with Labor trying to pick winners in industries and seats that suit them and playing favourites with certain industry groups with taxpayers' money. Labor is quite happy to gamble with taxpayers' money for ideological reasons.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Future Made in Australia bills have lovely-sounding names, and I think all members of this chamber would be interested in a future made in Australia. But the more you read the actual detail of these bills, the more you realise that what's being proposed doesn't stack up. The coalition fears that this is a plan for pork-barrelling, not for a strong economy, and members on this side will be opposing these bills.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Of course, the coalition supports those manufacturers. But, speaking to this bill, the coalition will indeed oppose it, not because we oppose manufacturers, manufacturing or the jobs that they represent but because we oppose bad policy that has not been properly thought out. The role of the opposition is, indeed, to oppose bad policy. That's what good oppositions do. So we are poking holes in the government's legislation to make sure that Australians can see the light on the other side, and this bill has plenty of those holes.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is wrong. We will not be supporting it. The coalition will not support this madness. This is another bucket of union-run money which should not be delivered by the taxpayer. Once again it is up to the coalition to stand up to this madness being delivered by this Labor government. Unfortunately, it continues. I'm sure there will be a deal with the Greens, and they'll all sing kumbaya and do it anyway.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The bill before the House, the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024, really engages on this question: how do we recover a lot of our lost industrial capacity in this country? Our view, my view, is that this bill does not achieve what the Albanese government is setting out to achieve with this bill. To give some background on the bills, these bills expand the role of Export Finance Australia and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and establish a National Interest Framework that retrospectively underpins the government's Future Made in Australia policy. The accompanying bill expands Export Finance Australia's remit to fund domestic industries and nominates the Minister for Finance as an additional responsible minister. The omnibus bill also expands ARENA's functions from purely research, development and demonstration to support manufacturing, deployment and commercialisation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“That is why I oppose this Future Made in Australia Bill. In other words, the future is poorer for Australia under this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Therein lies the coalition's opposition to this act: it's not technology agnostic and, unfortunately, it's not like the Inflation Reduction Act. It's a partisan and ideological attempt to actually railroad industry into certain ideological priorities that the Labor government is pushing.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We very sensibly oppose this bill. We do so on grounds that are fundamental to our beliefs. I think it's very clear where the government wants to drive this economy: further and further under the dictate of a chosen few.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“There are very good reasons for the coalition to oppose the Future Made in Australia Bill. I've listened to several of those opposite whose contributions to this debate show that they've never started a business themselves, never invested their own money in business, never employed people and certainly never dealt with the basics of running a viable business.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Western Australians are not mugs. They understand that Labor will always be more interested in appeasing inner-city voters on the east coast—they know that—rather than securing well-paying jobs in our regions. They also understand that structural reform is required to support all businesses' growth, not just sections of the economy that Labor ideologically obsess over or make snap decisions to get behind. Australia is at a crossroads. We all want a future made in Australia, but this rubbish legislation is certainly not the way that it's going to happen. I do not support this legislation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Let us not forget that the future of Australia's manufacturing industry depends on the decisions we make today. We owe it to our manufacturers, to our workers and to all Australians to get this right. This bill in its current form is not the solution. It's time for a rethink, a realignment with the needs of our industry and a renewed commitment to policies that will truly drive growth, innovation and prosperity.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“These measures in relation to a Future Made in Australia are winding back the clock 40 years, maybe—maybe more—to a period when the government thought it knew better than the market did, that it could swim against the tide of global capital, that people in Canberra were so smart and so intelligent that they would just run the show from here. That is a very scary position for the country to be in, but it is perhaps not surprising. This has been a regressive parliament. I have been shocked that I've been part of parliament that wound back a tax reform of the last parliament. In this parliament the government reimposed a tax bracket that had been removed by the last parliament. And now we have a government that is seeking to establish a picking-winners approach here in Canberra, where big businesses—it could be foreign or domestic businesses—will be funded by the Commonwealth government.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise today to add my voice to the chorus of opposition to this disastrous and desperate proposal. What the corflutes won't say is that the Future Made in Australia isn't what Labor is making it out to be. Make no mistake: this is an ideological pursuit for the Labor Party. The coalition will oppose this bill because the more we hear about this plan the more we know it doesn't have any merit.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise today to speak on the government's planned investment in the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024, which is effectively nothing but a pork-barrelling exercise whereby you rob money from Peter and give it to Paul. Effectively, the idea that you can give subsidies to somehow encourage industry in this country is a flawed assumption. If you want to actually get a long-term sustainable industry and manufacturing going in this country, you need to lower taxes and regulation and you need to level the playing field. I have touched on this many times. The People First Party is the only party that actually has a taxation plan and a soon-to-be monetary policy capital markets plan on how to get Australia moving again.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“And this is what has resulted in this bad bill. It is a bill that will only insert government. It is a bill that will result in billions of dollars of waste when it comes to taxpayers' money. This is a bill that has failed to gain any support from mainstream economists and industry itself. Australians want and deserve better. Only the coalition understands our national strengths. We are looking to build a nation which is a mining and manufacturing and agricultural powerhouse and a leader in technology and innovation. As a consequence, I cannot support this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“At the heart of this bill is arrogance from the government—they know better; they know best. The Prime Minister finished on a claim to optimism. There's nothing optimistic about your view of the capacity of companies like Fratelli Engineering to build things here, when you think that you know better. So that philosophical difference on the role of government is not just an academic exercise for political science classes at universities. It matters to this nation and to the future of this nation. The heart of this bill is that it's driven by a different view of government. It's about who decides. Of course we want more things made in Australia. Of course we need more resilient supply chains. War and pandemic have proven that. The question is: who is better placed to decide that?”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition will oppose Labor's Future Made in Australia Bill 2024. The more we hear about this plan, the more it does not stack up. This is a plan for pork-barrelling, not a strong economy. This is a plan for more government, not more business investment.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The opportunity before us today is to speak against this bill and to seek to defeat this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“If it weren't so sad, it would be laughable that this Labor government think they will power ahead with a future made in Australia without an energy policy that will supply consistent, reliable and secure power for industry and businesses. The government cannot solve the industry issues in this country by continuing to funnel public funds into projects to meet their own interim climate change targets without thinking about the energy, security and costs facing Australia. It's time for the government to admit their faults and step back from these bills as they currently read.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As I said at the start, this Future Made in Australia policy ticks the four boxes of the Albanese Labor government playbook. It has an impressive sounding name. It has a lot of money over a long time. It's off-budget spending. There's a lack of detail in the bill. And we know that 2½ years in, it ticks the fifth box. It's not actually going to deliver; it's going to make life harder for the Australian people, for Australian businesses, for those who want to have a go and for those who have already invested in business in this country.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We on this side of the House are root and branch opposed to what is a very bad idea.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I think this legislation, the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and the Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024, is an absolute train wreck. I ask those listening to this debate this question: do you believe that, if there's a business in this country that can't find private shareholders and investors who are prepared to put their money into it, or that cannot find a lender—a bank or someone who provides debt finance—who's prepared to lend it money, the government should invest your taxpayer dollars, which you work hard for, in that business? Do you think that's a good idea? Do you think that's sustainable? If these businesses can't find equity capital contributed by the private sector or if they can't find banks prepared to lend to them, why should your taxpayer dollars go into financing those businesses? Why?”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Yet, in this bill, Labor want to double down on corporate welfare for billionaires who are as bad at picking winners as they are. It is imperative that the government reassesses its approach and stops wasting money on unproven technologies.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Obviously, the answer to all those questions is no, which is why I am joining with my coalition colleagues in opposing this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Not one of them wants to come here. In fact, they're all running for the door. They've worked out that this place is a basket case under the Labor Party. It's a complete and utter basket case! How do they solve it? They say, 'Oh, we'll have a piece of legislation and throw a bucket of money.' It would be better to get in your Comcar and, as you're driving home, pour it out the window. That would have more efficacy than this policy, which we just can't support.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“That is what this whole exercise is about—Labor trying to win an election, not build an economy. That is why the coalition opposes this bill. Labor do not have a proper plan to get the settings right for Australian manufacturers. We will continue to stand up to the false promises offered by this bad Labor government and instead offer a better way with a focus on getting the fundamentals right to get Australia back on track. I thank the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“For all of these reasons and many more, I do not support this bad bill. (Time expired)”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition will oppose these bills, and we encourage all of those in this chamber to oppose them, because, the more we learn about Labor's Future Made in Australia plan, the more clearly we see that the emperor has no clothes on at all. The more we learn about Labor's Future Made in Australia, the more obvious it is that there is no new paradigm, no new economic orthodoxy, as the Treasurer is so fond of claiming and, indeed, penning 6,000-word essays about. No, there is just the same old Labor with the same old industry policy, picking winners, ideologically driven priorities and wrongheaded subsidies, all at the expense of the taxpayer.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The problem with these bills is that they lack structure and any guidance on where the government is going to spend the money, so it becomes, as has been mentioned by my colleagues, a slush fund.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I will try to break down into digestible terms what this bill does include and why we in the coalition believe it to be both ineffective and ill conceived.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“By all means, we can make things in Australia again, but we have to address the fundamentals. The thing that made us a manufacturer of aluminium and steel and allowed us to develop a car industry was that we had cheap energy that was available all the time because we utilised our own resources. That's what we should be focusing on. So, if you want to make Australia make things again, I wouldn't be supporting this. Look at things in a rational way. At the moment, a lot of these policies are made by political scientists, not by hard-nosed engineers. That's what we need. We need to bring engineers back, and then we'll get a sensible energy policy.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Then we have this Future Made in Australia Bill, which provides billions and billions of dollars in corporate welfare for some of Australia's wealthiest companies and individuals. I know that is not the best way to help mums and dads and singles and students, who are trying to stay at home and get by and are hearing about the amazing amount of money being spent by Labor on a folly to hopefully make sure they deliver something.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So the coalition is opposing this bill. We've put forward a sensible amendment, as you'd expect. As the shadow Treasurer has just said, this is a slogan in search of a policy: Future Made in Australia. It's an ill named bill, like most Labor policies.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This side of the house is not opposing this bill because we don't believe in the stated outcomes; we're opposing this bill because we know this government won't get it right.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I suppose it will surprise very few in this place, given the contribution of my colleagues previously in this debate, that the opposition opposes these bills. The reason we oppose these bills is that they are purely and simply a slush fund for the government to splash money around for their chosen political mates. If the government actually took a different tack and decided to get out of the way of business and let them do what they do, our economy would be doing much, much better.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I want to make a small contribution to the debate on the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and try and just outline, in the simplest terms I possibly can, why we will be opposing this bill. We hear those from the government come in and say that members of the coalition are opposing this because we don't believe in a future made in Australia. Well, that's simply not true.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I oppose this bill and I certainly hope that those in the Senate decide to do the same.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This is absolutely the wrong thing to do at this time. The priorities of this government should all be around the cost of living, improving flexibility in our economy, improving growth in our economy and improving productivity in our economy.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise today to speak in opposition to Labor's Future Made in Australia Bill 2024. There is nothing wrong with industry policy. The question before the House is whether the policy put forward by the Albanese government is good policy or bad policy, and I stand here today to assert that it is bad public policy. In fact, the Future Made in Australia Bill is a vile ruse. It's trickery, it's deceitful and it will not achieve what Labor purports it to be able to achieve. We always have to remember, when it comes to this Albanese government, not to take them at their word, because that word gets broken time and time again. Don't listen to what they say, but look at what they do. This bill reflects the depth of cynicism to which this government is prepared to go.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This is a bad bill. It's a rotten bill. We oppose it, and those opposite should think again, in the interests of all Australians.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on this bill, and to speak in opposition of this bill and the policy in general. It does come with a fantastic name—I'll give it that. You'd fall in love with the name very easily—the Future Made in Australia Bill—and I think that's what the Labor Party marketing people had in mind when they concocted it, but it's unfortunate that it doesn't actually correlate with the content of the bill. It is a bill that is designed to expand the role of the Export Finance Australia and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and establish a National Interest Framework that retrospectively underpins the government's Future Made in Australia policy.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Julian Leeser on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Leeser opposes the bill, saying it recycles failed Labor economic ideas and wrongly has government picking winners instead of letting markets decide which industries succeed. He argues it will worsen the government's handling of inflation and productivity rather than fix them.
“The bill that we have before us tonight, the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024, is, in short, a microcosm of everything that is wrong with Labor's economic policy—a range of bad ideas that have been tried in the past and proved to have failed, yet they're trying them again. We see it in the way which Labor is dealing with the cost-of-living crisis. Orthodox economic policy is that, when inflation is going up and up, you reduce government spending to take pressure off inflation. When we have a productivity crisis, orthodox economic policy says that you liberate the labour market, create greater flexibility and allow employers and employees to work the hours they want or need, to get productivity going and get the flexibility that you need to create more jobs. An orthodox economic policy says that you let markets decide what industries exist in a particular country, and when governments pick winners, you end up with bad results. Yet, here in this bill, we have tried, tested and failed policy being recycled again in this so-called Made in Australia bill.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Leeser says the opposition will vote against the bill because he sees it as a pork-barrelling, high-spending corporate welfare scheme that will add to inflation and fail to help households or productivity. He argues the government should back lower taxes, less regulation and more market-led investment instead.
“That is why we are going to oppose this bill. The more we hear about it, the more we know the plan doesn't stack up. This is a plan for pork-barrelling. It is not a plan for a strong economy. This is a plan for more government, not more investment in businesses. It is a plan for more inflation at a time when Labor's spending is already making things worse.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“Businesses around the country have been reaching out to local members saying how tough they're doing it. Just yesterday, I was stopped in the hallway by someone who was a big supporter of the government and the Labor Party and who told me that this bill will cripple them; this bill will not support them. How can this bill do what it claims to do, which is to make the future better in Australia, when it doesn't even look after the industries that we have here? I think that has reverberated around the country in all of our electorates. For that reason and many others, the coalition will not be supporting this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and the Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024. Sadly, these bills couldn't be further from the priorities that this government should be pursuing for the Australian people. We are opposing these bills, because, the more we hear about them and the more we hear about the detail, the clearer it becomes how wasteful some elements of this are. The bigger that government gets, the more intervention in the economy there is. That's what we don't need—more intervention.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and the Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024. As my coalition colleagues have made clear, we're opposing these bills, and we encourage all those in the chamber to do the same. I say that because these are bills that will not or rather cannot deliver for Australians and Australian business. These are two of those pieces of proposed legislation that sound worse and worse the more we learn about them.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We will be voting against this bill. The announcements made around this bill show that this government doesn't really back a future made in Australia. Once again, it is the Prime Minister and his ministers backing their mates, whether they're Twiggy Forrest or Ed's mates in the US. It's definitely not the thousands and thousands of small- to medium-sized enterprises in this country that want to keep manufacturing and want to keep tens of thousands of Australians employed in regional capitals and in suburbs right around this country.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“For this reason and many others that members on this side are talking about, we won't be supporting the bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
5 speakers · 2 oppose · 3 mixed
“In its current form, these bills could just be a slush fund for coal, oil and gas, and we can't stand for that. (Time expired)”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“While the Greens support positive government intervention in our economy and a strong industry policy that offers good-quality jobs, we have real concerns about what's on offer with these bills.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“If we want a Future Made in Australia, let's have a genuine discussion about what that means and what kind of future we want in this country. The Australian Greens support government intervention in our economy to drive public and private funds into productive parts of our economy and out of parts of our economy that are unproductive and deliver negative outcomes to our people and our environment. We support that, and it appears that Labor has accepted, in principle, that it's a good thing. But we have to have an honest discussion about what that looks like in reality—which parts of the economy we want to help, which parts of the economy we want to disadvantage and how we are going frame up a future where we can deliver on the needs of our people and ensure an inhabitable planet where the climate's not breaking down around us and ecological collapse has been averted. Those are the conversations that we need to have, and we have no certainty at all that the Labor Party is ready to have those discussions. We stand ready to enter into a good-faith negotiation with Labor on this legislation, by the way.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“These bills are working their way through a Senate inquiry at the moment. That will go for a few months. We will reserve our position on these bills until we see the outcome of that inquiry and we see what the government's response is to these very real issues that we have raised.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak about Labor's Future Made in Australia Bill 2024. Like my colleague Senator Waters, who spoke before me, I had significant hope that this bill would be an investment in manufacturing in this country, an overdue, positive investment into manufacturing, but, as it stands, this bill would potentially be an environmental disaster. We're in a climate emergency right now. At a time when we should be rapidly phasing out of fossil fuels, this government, via this bill, could potentially be propping them up with even more public money.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 oppose
“One Nation has no confidence this bill will achieve anything positive for Australia. If the government wants to move the provisions around economic resilience and security into a new bill, with Infrastructure Australia in charge, One Nation would be delighted to support those measures.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
10 speakers · 4 support · 2 oppose · 4 mixed
“I support the intent of the legislation, and the submissions to the Senate inquiry show that there is broad support for this agenda from those in the environmental sectors, finance sectors and the business community, including the Clean Energy Council, the Investor Group on Climate Change, the Climate Council, Climate Energy Finance, the Superpower Institute, the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Aluminium Council, the Business Council of Australia and many, many others. But the submissions also highlight that, as currently drafted, the bill fails to deliver the framework we need to effectively seize Australia's opportunity to become a clean energy superpower.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I am yet to meet with the Treasurer to discuss the concerns I have with this bill and the amendments I'm proposing to improve it, but I'm really looking forward to having that discussion with him. We're getting it in the diary. I will be reserving my position on this bill until after I have that meeting with the Treasurer. In the meantime I want to emphasise to the government that, as we transition to a net zero economy, it is more important than ever to maintain the confidence of the people, including in this bill before us. This bill as currently drafted does not build enough trust. It does not do enough to promote integrity in government decision-making. It leaves way too much still to be determined. And when it comes to $22.7 billion in public funding, that is not good enough. Ensuring that the public can see where and how their money is spent through the measures I just outlined is one critical mechanism to achieving this confidence.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So, in summary, we definitely need an industry policy to support the green transition and recognise the new global economic landscape. Future Made in Australia is a step in the right direction, even it's a bit messy and a bit vague, and I have concerns about whether this government can maintain trust in the decisions made under it. We have to do our best. We need greater clarity on what's in and out of Future Made in Australia and how all the different frameworks to support our energy transition fit together, including Future Made in Australia, ARENA, the National Reconstruction Fund, the CEFC and other relevant pieces.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The amendment that I move here and further amendments which I will move in the consideration in detail stage of this legislation will address those concerns. I move:”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I commend the bill to the House, I support the government on the Future Made in Australia, I commend the Treasurer, and I ask him to consider the amendments put forward in good faith to make sure that this bill is robust and delivers its purpose.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In closing, while the FMIA legislation presents a positive step forward for our manufacturing and innovation sectors on the pathway to decarbonisation, it is not without its flaws. To truly secure a prosperous future for Australia, we need to address the gaps and the weaknesses that have been identified through collaboration and consultation. By strengthening the focus of this legislation, by creating a clear link between the National Interest Framework and the FMIA funding, by requiring projects and entities to be within the scope of a sector assessment to be eligible for support, by explicitly ruling out the use of FMIA on fossil fuel and carbon capture and storage projects, by tightening up the community benefit principles to safeguard them against future governments, and by including a standalone community benefit principle for First Nations participation and engagement, this bill would be greatly strengthened.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This legislation is enveloped in good intentions, but, as the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with those. I urge the government to consider the range of crossbench amendments that seek to make this legislation fit for purpose, effective and a pathway to the future prosperity of our nation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The bill wants to use public investment to unlock private investments that will act in the national interest, but there is a risk that these investments will prioritise and benefit only larger projects and corporations. This has the potential to overlook the unique challenges faced by small manufacturers and to allow opportunities that they offer to wither. I would like to see the bill amended to more explicitly cater for small businesses, such as a dollar amount allocated to them, so that they don't get left out in the cold as they were under the former NRF approach. I am all for revitalising the manufacturing industry in Australia. If we can do this by incentivising small businesses within clean industries, all the better, but I caution the government: if this leaves small manufacturers out in the cold, like Jamal Elishe, many businesses will fail and the future, rather than being made in Australia, may be quite bleak.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Future Made in Australia framework is a step in the right direction, but, as I've highlighted, I think it's far from perfect. It needs stronger governance, it needs greater transparency and it needs a sharper focus on emissions reduction. Most importantly, we need to ensure that economic benefits flow to Australian households and businesses, not to foreign owned entities or outdated industries.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I do not support this bill. I want to support a bill that is going to get behind Australian manufacturing, but it has to be smart. If this government is serious about improving our manufacturing capacity, it would address energy prices and reduce government red tape.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Recorded vote: 82 to 55.
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Consideration in detail: amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Recorded vote: 33 to 23.
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Amendments considered
Recorded vote: 33 to 24.
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
House · Consideration of Senate message
House agreed to SenateThe upper house of Parliament, which also debated and amended the bill before it passed. amendments
The House dealt with SenateThe upper house of Parliament, which also debated and amended the bill before it passed. amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns the passed bill into law., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Economics Legislation Committee; Committee report (06/09/2024)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (4 July 2024): Senate Economics Legislation Committee; Committee report (6 Sept 2024)
APH bill page notes
