Yesterday, I took my concerns about Labor’s manufacturing razor gang to the floor of the Parliament.
In a speech, I condemned local Labor MPs, Richard Marles and Libby Coker, over their continuing refusal to stand up for Australian manufacturing including one of Geelong’s most successful manufacturers, Carbon Revolution.
My speech is below.
Senator HENDERSON (Victoria) (13:56): I rise to condemn Labor’s decision to block the delivery of the coalition’s $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative, including a $12 million grant for Carbon Revolution—one of Geelong’s most successful advanced manufacturers. It’s extremely disappointing that the Labor government has taken this decision on the basis that it is conducting a value-for-money review.
On 10 May, I was very proud to join the former Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Taylor, to announce a $12 million grant for Carbon Revolution’s $33 million project to expand its advanced manufacturing of carbon fibre wheels for the global electric vehicle market.
This was funded by the Coalition’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative – Manufacturing Integration Stream, Recycling and Clean Energy. Not only will this project enable Carbon Revolution to produce an additional 75,000 carbon fibre wheels per annum at a 60 per cent lower cost, supporting state-of-the-art clean energy technology and 332 jobs; it will position Australia as a leader in the production and export of carbon fibre wheels.
This is a heartless attack by Labor’s razor gang. It demonstrates a callous disregard for Australian manufacturing and the investment certainty that Australian manufacturers need at this time. I particularly condemn the member for Corangamite and the member for Corio, who have absolutely not said a word about this—not a word!
Honourable senators interjecting—
Senator HENDERSON: You can object as much as you like. Not a word standing up for manufacturing in Geelong. It’s an absolute disgrace, and I call on the Labor government to reverse this shocking decision.
3 August 2022