Creating and supporting jobs has always been a priority in Calwell. Having chaired the House Standing Committee of Industry, Science and Innovation in the last parliament-and overseen 2 inquiries into Australia’s Research Capacity- I’m pleased with the Government’s $1 billion dollar Plan for Australian Jobs. This package of reforms will help build our local manufacturing industry.
These reforms will address the following: Large projects ,giving Australian businesses a fair chance to win work; Protection from unfairly dumped goods from overseas; Better access for small businesses to finance, skills, technology and Government support, as well as Industry Innovation Precincts linking business and university.
There is record investment of hundreds of millions of dollars going into major projects in Australia’s resources and infrastructure sectors. I am aware local firms can struggle to win work on these projects, which are often run by multinationals unfamiliar with Australian suppliers. To address this issue the Government will legislate to boost local opportunities on these projects.Projects worth more than $500 million will have to adopt Australian Industry Participation plans outlining how they will give local businesses a fair chance to win work on these projects.
In addition the Government will improve safeguards for local industry against unfair competition from goods dumped into the Australian market.A new Anti-Dumping Commission is being created to investigate complaints of dumping which is injuring local industry and jeopardising local jobs.
The Government has appointed a new Automotive Supplier Advocate to boost the number of Australian-made cars in Federal and State Government fleets, as well as in the private sector.
The Government will also establish up to 10 Industry Innovation Precincts. These Precincts will bring industry, firms, research institutions, technology experts and government agencies together – to achieve the innovations our businesses need to succeed in the future.Details: www.aussiejobs.innovation.gov.auLabor’s $1 billion plan for industry
