We should be prioritising our local manufacturing capabilities for economic and environmental resilience

Today in Parliament, Abigail criticised the unpredictability of U.S. tariffs under Trump and moved an amendment to a motion advocating for greater support for local manufacturing, and a transition to green steel and aluminium for both economic and environmental advantages.

Abigail said:

On behalf of The Greens, I contribute to debate on this motion. There is a lot to quibble with in this motion. I quite enjoyed seeing the Treasurer on Q+A. As I sat in my hotel room, playing some silly game on my phone, I listened to the Treasurer while he was on Q+A.

He was asked a question about the tariffs. I found that his response and the tone of his response was actually good, as he talked about the genuine anxiety felt by steel producers and steel communities in Australia, but then also focusing on the importance of building and buying locally. We have spent a lot of time in this House talking about local manufacturing, and The Greens are certainly on record supporting local manufacturing for economic and environmental reasons. I will truncate my response by moving an amendment, which probably puts it better than me talking off the cuff. I move:

That the question be amended by omitting all words after "That this House notes:" and inserting instead:

(a) Trump's tariffs show just what an unpredictable so-called ally the United States has become under Trump;

(b) this turbulence demonstrates clearly the need for Australia to chart our own path and develop an independent foreign policy that supports our interests, not Trump's interests; and

(c) that by taking an independent foreign policy we can make sure we have the broadest possible trading horizons and make sure our mineral and value‑added exports can find the best markets across the world.

(2) That this House further notes that:

(a) Australia and New South Wales's sovereign manufacturing capability is important to preserve and support;

(b) we need to continue the shift to green steel and green aluminium as crucial elements for our economy and critical for the climate, as we seek to decarbonise our society; and

(c) importing cheaper overseas steel and aluminium is a false economy, with locally fabricated steelwork able to take advantage of road, rail or local sea transportation, maximising flexibility and economy while also supporting high quality local jobs with high standards.

The amendment was negatived.

Read the full debate in Hansard here.

26 March 2025

A UNIVERSAL WELLBEING PAYMENT FOR NSW

No matter who you are or what you do, everyone has the right to share in the wellbeing of our country.

But at the moment the essentials so many of us need – a place to call home, food on the table, and everyday essentials like electricity, internet, medicine and water – are simply out of reach.

Instead of supporting us, our government is choosing to prop up huge corporations with massive subsidies, and to give away our collective wealth through record tax cuts for the wealthy. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left to live paycheck to paycheck or trapped in the dehumanising bureaucracy of our existing welfare system.

Now, in the midst of a pandemic, and following quickly on the heels of the bushfire crisis, more of us than ever before are experiencing what it’s like to lose our jobs, be without a home, or worry about where the food for our next meal will come from.

It’s time for us to choose to prioritise the wellbeing of everyone.

And that’s exactly what the Universal Wellbeing Payment will do.

It’s a regular payment made to each of us to ensure our minimum standard of wellbeing. No means testing, no bureaucracy, no strings attached.

It’s the amount you’re owed simply for being a participant in our society.

It means you are free to live your life and contribute to society as you see fit, whether you’re a carer, an artist, a student, a parent, an entrepreneur – you can get on with what you need to do, knowing that you will always be supported regardless of your income.

It means that we’re choosing to structure our economy for the benefit of all of us, not using our collective wealth to prop up the interests of big business and the wealthy few.

It means you will always have what you need to live a good life, no matter what.

The Universal Wellbeing Payment is for everyone. Help us make it happen.

For more information, head to universalwellbeingpayment.com.au

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We should be prioritising our local manufacturing capabilities for economic and environmental resilience

A UNIVERSAL WELLBEING PAYMENT FOR NSW

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