9th Sep 2024, 1:19 PM – Representatives Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 - Consideration in Detail - Participation of underrepresented groups, sector assessments, and net zero transformation stream

The majority voted against amendments introduced by Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel (Independent), which means they will not be included in the bill.

What do the amendments do?

Ms Daniel explained that:

My first amendment proposes a new standalone community development principle to guide the implementation of FMIA supports towards the inclusion of women in our future net zero workforce, which is critical to our net zero transition. I'm concerned that the absence of such a principle to drive the participation of women in our net zero economy will leave 50 per cent of our population uninvolved and unempowered and create yet another high-vis male workforce.

My second amendment would empower the Department of the Treasury itself to initiate sector assessments. One need only look to the Productivity Commission—indeed, in the Treasurer's own portfolio—to a model which possesses an element of independence and protection against ministerial interference. The Productivity Commission, while taking direction for assessments by its minister, can determine areas of the economy to conduct research in, as it deems appropriate. I can't see anything in this bill to prevent a future minister from simply not directing the Department of the Treasury to conduct sector assessments at all should it not be in the political interests of the government of the day.

My third amendment would add an additional eligibility criteria to the net zero transformation stream to ensure that FMIA supports are committed only to projects which would substantially contribute to climate change mitigation and net zero. Projects that receive Commonwealth support must be able to substantiate precisely how they would implement this funding towards what should be the primary goal of this legislation—that is, net zero by 2050.

My fourth amendment addresses the vast gaps of accountability and financial reporting the Treasury and funding recipients would be expected to produce once the funding has been delivered. Treasury would be expected to detail the intended objectives that each of its recommendations in sector assessments would intend to achieve, including how success would be measured, review potential barriers to these objectives and, importantly, specify a duration for these supports. It is vital that the renewable industries which the legislation seeks to build are sustainable and able to be competitive in the market once their Future Made in Australia support has ceased. I commend these amendments to the House.

Amendment text

(1) Clause 3, page 4 (line 24), omit "workforce participation", substitute "the participation of underrepresented groups, including women, in Australia's net zero workforces and economy of the future".

(2) Page 8 (after line 19), after clause 6, insert:

6A Sector assessments — Treasurer initiated

(1) The Treasurer may conduct a sector assessment.

(2) To avoid doubt, subsection (1) applies whether or not a sector assessment has previously been conducted for the sector under this section or under section 6.

(3) Clause 7, page 9 (after line 2), after paragraph (a), insert:

(aa) the sector contributes to reducing Australia's reliance on fossil fuel production, power or energy sources or contributes to reducing global reliance on fossil fuel production, power or energy sources; and

(4) Clause 8, page 9 (line 17), after "sector assessment", insert "conducted under section 6".

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

(1A) A sector assessment must also:

(a) detail the intended objectives or outcomes of its recommendations for government investment in that sector, and include measurements of success to track a sector's progress towards achieving its objectives or outcomes; and

(b) review whether there are barriers to success that may impede a sector from achieving the objectives or outcomes mentioned in paragraph (d); and

(c) consider what types of Future Made in Australia supports are appropriate for the sector, including the duration of those supports, and how those supports contribute to overcoming the barriers identified in paragraph (e).

(6) Page 10 (after line 22), after clause 8, insert:

8A Conduct of sector assessments — Treasurer initiated

(1) A sector assessment conducted under section 6A must consider:

(a) such of the matters mentioned in paragraphs 8(1)(a) to (e) as the Treasurer considers relevant to the conduct of the assessment; and

(b) the objects of this Act.

(2) The Minister must not:

(a) give directions to the Treasurer in relation to a particular sector assessment; or

(b) seek to influence a particular sector assessment in any other way.

(3) For the purposes of conducting a sector assessment, the Treasurer may:

(a) consult with any Commonwealth entity; or

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

(7) Clause 9, page 10 (line 24), after "sector assessment", insert "under section 6".

(8) Page 11 (after line 9), after clause 9, insert:

9A Reporting on sector assessments — Treasurer initiated

(1) After conducting a sector assessment under section 6A, the Treasurer must prepare a report on the assessment and cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 30 sitting days of that House.

(2) The Treasurer may redact information from the report if the Treasurer is satisfied that:

(a) the information is personal information; or

(b) release of the information would, or could reasonably be expected to:

(i) divulge information that is confidential or commercially sensitive; or

(ii) cause damage to the security, defence or international relations of the Commonwealth; or

(iii) cause damage to relations between the Commonwealth and a State or Territory.

9B Delegation by the Treasurer

The Treasurer may, by writing, delegate any or all of the Treasurer's powers under this Act to:

(a) the Secretary of the Treasury Department; or

(b) an SES employee, or acting SES employee, in the Treasury Department.

(9) Clause 10, page 13 (line 4), omit "workforce participation", substitute "the meaningful participation of women and underrepresented groups in Australia's net zero workforces".