Standing Up For WA
Federation Chamber
10 February 2025
Ms MASCARENHAS (Swan) (11:32): I move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the Government has created more than a million jobs;
(2) commends the Government for standing up for Western Australia and for recognising that Western Australia is the engine room of the economy;
(3) recognises that production tax credits for critical minerals will encourage critical mineral processing in Western Australia and create secure jobs in in the resources sector; and
(4) calls on the Opposition to support the production tax credits instead of blocking jobs and investment in Western Australia.
During the 2022 federal election, the former Prime Minister said that his top priorities were jobs, jobs and jobs. But guess who actually delivered? That's right—the Albanese Labor government. This government has created over a million jobs, and that is a record. Last month's job numbers show that Labor governments have delivered the lowest average unemployment for any Australian government in 50 years. And this isn't an accident; it's not a black swan event. This has been by design. This is something that Western Australia cares deeply about, and this is something that matters to Swan.
What does this actually mean in Swan? ABS data shows that there has been a six per cent job increase in the south-east region of Perth in December 2024, compared to December 2023. This region includes the entire Swan electorate and surrounds. This has resulted in almost 340,000 jobs for people in Swan that were employed during that period. Unemployment fell from 14,200 in December 2023 to 11,500 in December 2024. What a fantastic result! It highlights that our strong economic growth and jobs creation plan is working.
Our policies are delivering real results. Initiatives such as fee-free TAFE are equipping people with job-ready skills. Infrastructure investments and wage growth are strengthening our economy and creating opportunities. But there is more work to do.
We all know that Western Australia is the engine room of the Australian economy. WA has an abundance of minerals below the ground, but we also have amazing renewable energy resources above the ground. Our critical minerals are essential for solar panels, battery storage and wind turbines. As the mighty federal mining minister said, 'The world's pathway to net zero emissions runs through the Western Australian outback.' So it makes sense for us to explore the opportunities that are right under our feet. We have the opportunity to lay the foundations for our future, and we have a plan—the most significant initiative for Australia's resource sector in a generation, a plan to secure jobs and to secure our future. This includes a 10 per cent production tax incentive to boost critical mineral processing. As a former process engineer, I think this is pretty cool. That is a $17 billion investment over 14 years. The risk? Zero—no production, no tax credits.
Today's motion recognises the role that tax credits will play in critical mineral processing, and yet once again the coalition says no. A plan for the future? No. The support for industry? No. Secure jobs for Australians? No. It is not surprising the Liberals voted against tax cuts, higher wages and cheaper medicines. Under the Liberals, inflation would have soared, real wages would have fallen and living standards would have declined. They have no plan; they have no vision. Under Labor, inflation is down nearly a third of what we inherited, real wages are rising and living standards are improving. The extra 1.1 million people in jobs are grateful that these jobs are existing. But we must take steps to secure jobs for the future, and we won't let the Liberals hold us back. Their slogan is 'Back'—back to six per cent inflation, back to higher unemployment, back to wages going backwards.
Right now, the federal coalition are turning their backs on WA by not supporting this plan. They're turning their backs on Western Australians. Unlike the federal coalition, the WA Liberals and the Nationals understand the importance of the Albanese government policy. Libby Mettam, the leader of the WA Liberals has said, 'We will support this measure.' That's because they understand WA and they understand the resources sector. It has been supported by industry, too. Rebecca Thomson, CEO of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy, said, 'This measure recognises the federal government's commitment to supporting industry.' Perhaps the federal coalition should listen to WA and not overrule the WA Liberals once again. Processing critical minerals will turbocharge our resources sector and create jobs all across WA.
