9th Sep 2024, 12:45 PM – Representatives Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 - Consideration in Detail - Sector assessments

The majority voted against amendments introduced by Kooyong MP Monique Ryan (Independent), which means they failed.

Dr Ryan explained that:

The government has already started to allocate funds under the scheme, and, in some cases, there are real questions around the integrity of the decision-making with those grant decisions. So the amendments I've moved today to this bill will increase clarity regarding sectoral assessments and the extent to which they will consider such questions as relevant to international trade agreements, current national stockpiles and resources and the need for diversification of our resources.

Amendment text

(1) Clause 7, page 9 (line 14), at the end of subclause (4), add:

; and (c) the circumstances set out in the rules apply in relation to the sector, such as to justify investment in the sector.

(2) Clause 8, page 9 (after line 30), after subclause (1), insert:

(1A) A sector assessment must also consider each of the following matters:

(a) the impact of any relevant international trade agreements;

(b) current Australian stockpiles and supply of sector goods and resources;

(c) the need for Australia to maintain a diversity of resources.

(3) Clause 8, page 10 (lines 18 to 22), omit subclause (6), substitute:

(6) For the purposes of conducting a sector assessment, the Secretary:

(a) must consult with each of the following:

(i) the Productivity Commission;

(ii) the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation;

(iii) the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission;

(iv) Infrastructure Australia;

(v) the Climate Change Authority;

(vi) the Net Zero Economy Authority;

(vii) a person or entity specified in the rules; and

(b) may:

(i) consult with any other Commonwealth entity; or

(ii) arrange for any Commonwealth entity to provide assistance or support.