Month: April 2019

Once again, Labor is trying to rebadge the Coalition’s policy as their own – this time, the Government’s Defence Policy for Industry Participation.
The Coalition Government’s Local Industry Capability Plan (LICP) is already delivering more jobs to regional Australia.
In August 2017, following consultation with local businesses, the Coalition Government launched the LICP pilot for defence infrastructure and facilities projects. The LICP provided greater opportunities for local tradies and suppliers to secure work as part of our massive defence infrastructure investment.
This program has been so successful that it has now been incorporated into the broader Defence Policy for Industry Participation, launched by the Minister for Defence Industry, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, in Perth in March 2019.
For the first time ever, it is this Government who has put in place policies that are making it easier for local tradies and suppliers to get involved in Defence projects – both capability acquisition and infrastructure and facilities projects.
In Queensland and the Northern Territory alone we have seen companies tender for defence infrastructure work using over 80 per cent of their workforce from the nearby local region. Creating opportunities for local businesses and providing certainty for local jobs.
Over the last twelve months, as a result of the Coalition’s $200 billion investment in Defence capability, upwards of 990 subcontractors have been engaged on defence infrastructure and facilities projects, of which 714 have been local contractors, representing an achievement rate of 72 per cent of work and $1.7 billion going directly to local communities across Australia. A further 4,280 subcontractor packages have been identified that will see upwards of an additional $5.2 billion worth of work going to the local market place under this initiative alone.
Only the Morrison Government can be trusted to deliver defence capability and infrastructure. The Morrison Government is investing in Australia’s defence industry, creating a smarter and more skilled workforce and a stronger economy, while building our defence capability. This is in stark contrast to Labor who slashed the Defence budget to the lowest level since 1938 when they were last in government.
The Defence Policy for Industry Participation can be found here: http://www.defence.gov.au/

Employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have been bolstered in the Mackay Region through the Liberal-Nationals Government’s investment in local jobs.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, and the Member for Dawson George Christensen, said today the investment of more than $1.4 million in Global Product Search would provide for up to 154 jobs.
Mr Christensen said he was pleased to announce the Commonwealth Government was investing in the region and helping to address the skills shortage by giving more workers the opportunity for work in the mining sector.
“Global Product Search is a fantastic local organisation and this investment from the Liberal-Nationals Government has been tailored to the needs of our region to maximise opportunities for our Indigenous jobseekers,” Mr Christensen said.
“I have had the opportunity to see how Global Product Search undertakes their training and meet some of the trainees who are being provided with these opportunities.
“I am very pleased that the Liberal-Nationals Government’s strong economic management means it can reinvest the dividends of a strong economy back into local solutions such as this one.”
GPS manager Warren McGraw said it was an exciting step for the company.
“Global Product Search is dedicated to further assisting with the engagement and creation of long term careers in the mining industry for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees,” Mr McGraw said.
“We will adapt our very successful pre-existing ‘new-to-industry’ training package to be specifically dedicated to Aboriginal & Torres Strait employees within Queensland to assist in them in gaining long term fulfilling employment.”
“These targeted grants are community-led initiatives that connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers to real jobs and is part of the Government commitment to get more Australians into work,” Minister Scullion said.
“The very best form of welfare the Government can provide is a job, and this investment is about supporting the Government’s efforts to close the gap in Indigenous disparity.”
Funding for this project has been allocated out of existing resources in the Indigenous Advancement Strategy and complement other Government programs which have resulted in a 23.3 per cent in the number of Indigenous Australians with a job since the 2011 Census and 30 per cent increase in the number of Indigenous entrepreneurs in small business.

Territory Labor have been embarrassingly caught out stealing the Coalition’s successful defence procurement policies.
CLP Senator Nigel Scullion and CLP Candidates Kathy Ganley and Jacinta Price, have accused Territory Labor of extreme hypocrisy for shamelessly copying and rebadging the Coalition’s Defence Local Industry Capability Plans policy as their own.
Senator Nigel Scullion said that Labor could not be trusted on defence spending given they cut more than $18 billion out of defence when they were last in office.
“It seems Territory Labor also think that the whole purpose of defence projects is to prop up Michael Gunner’s failed government rather than to build the defence infrastructure and capabilities we need to keep Australians safe.
“One thing I do know about Territorians is that they can see through a hollow promise a mile away and they are not as stupid as Territory Labor thinks they are.
“They know that the $8 billion in Territory defence projects the the Coalition Government has funded between 2016-2026 have been carefully developed through our Defence White Paper.
“It’s also pretty bloody obvious that Luke Gosling has been asleep at the wheel for the past three years if he didn’t know about the Coalition’s success on local procurement,” Senator Scullion said today.
CLP Candidate for Solomon, Kathy Ganley, said through responsible budget management, the Coalition had not only worked hard to restore Territory Labor’s savage $18 billion defence funding cuts, and ensured that local Territory companies, contractors and tradies won a fairer and bigger slice of the work.
“The Defence Local Industry Capability Plans introduced by then Defence Minister Marise Payne in 2017 have been a game changer for Territory businesses and have been a resounding success story.
“Under the Coalition’s policies, more than 90 per cent of Northern Territory defence contracts have gone to Territory business, contractors and workers.
“So not only are we investing more than Labor ever will into the defence infrastructure Australia needs, but more Territorian workers and businesses are better off as a result of our efforts,” Ms Ganley said today.
CLP Candidate for Lingiari, Jacinta Price, said that Labor can’t be trusted when it comes to the defence and security of our nation.
“Remember not only did Labor cut $18 billion from defence, but they completely lost control of our borders which saw 50,000 boat arrivals and more than $10 billion in detention cost blowouts.
“Our defence personnel who risk their lives, and indeed all Territorians, will be appalled at Labor’s attempt to use defence projects to somehow prop up the worst Territory government since self-government,” Ms Price said today.
The Coalition is investing $8 Billion in Top End Defence infrastructure.
The Northern Territory is home to over 5,500 Defence personnel and has a number of key operational bases, including HMAS Coonawarra, Robertson Barracks, and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Bases Tindal and Darwin.
The Territory is a big beneficiary of the Coalition’s Defence spending including:
 

• Larrakeyah Defence Precinct Redevelopment Program. This $495.5 million program will upgrade critical base infrastructure. Expected expenditure on this project is $81.2 million in 2019-20.
• Provide new and upgraded facilities and infrastructure to support the introduction of the P-8A aircraft around the country, including at RAAF Base Darwin. Expected expenditure in the NT on this project is $63.9 million in 2019-20.
• Jindalee Operational Radar Networks (JORN) Phase 6 Facilities Project. This $50.7 million program is scheduled for completion in late 2020. There will be priority works near Alice Springs. Expected expenditure on this project is $33.0 million in 2019-20.
• Upgrading air traffic management supporting infrastructure at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal. Expected expenditure in the NT on this project is $26.5 million in 2019-20.
• Growler Airborne Electronic Attack Capability Facilities. Expected expenditure in the NT on this project is $20.0 million in 2019-20.
• Explosive Ordnance Logistics Reform Program at RAAF Base Darwin. Expected expenditure in the NT on this project is $2.7 million in 2019-20.
• Joint Health Command Garrison Facilities Upgrades at Robertson Barracks and Larrakeyah Barracks. Expected expenditure in the NT on this project is $13.9 million in 2019-20.
• RAAF Base Tindal Redevelopment Stage 6. Construction is planned to commence in early 2020 and be completed by late 2024.
• United States Force Posture Initiative RAAF Base Tindal Airfields Works and Associated Infrastructure. Construction is planned to commence in early 2020 and be completed by late 2024.
• The Armidale class patrol boat in-service activities undertaken in both Darwin and Cairns with an expected expenditure of $116 million in 2019-20.

 

Labor and Bill Shorten should explain why high emitting luxury and exotic cars favoured by billionaires will be spared from their planned vehicle emissions standard, while Australian families and tradies would be slugged up to $5,000 more for an SUV or ute.
If Australians don’t understand Labor’s vehicle emissions standard, they shouldn’t vote for it.
Labor’s new car tax will force Australian families and tradies to pay up to $5,000 more for the new family SUV and work ute, but would give those who can afford high-end sports cars and ultra-luxury vehicles a break.
Labor and Bill Shorten snuck their vehicle emissions proposal out under the cover of the Budget and ever since they have been running a mile from scrutiny.
It won’t stop Australians learning the truth about Labor’s new car tax and it’s a truth getting uglier by the day.
So far Australians have learnt Labor’s vehicle emissions standard will:
 

• Increase the cost of a new car by almost $5,000 (Daily Telegraph, 9/04/2019).
• Cost state police forces tens of millions of dollars to comply (Herald Sun, 11/05/2019).
• Hit Australians on the lowest incomes in regional areas the worst (Courier Mail, 13/04/19).
• Give a free ride to millionaires and billionaires with the highest emitting cars (Daily Telegraph, 15/04/2019).

 
Labor’s new car tax is yet another product of their reckless emissions reduction target that will drive up prices, slash wages and cost jobs.
Some cars exempt under Labor’s chosen model include:
Lamborghini Aventador S
6.5L V12
394g CO2/km
Ferrari 812 Superfast
6.5L V12
366g CO2/km
Bentley Mulsanne
6.75L twin-turbocharged V8
365g CO2/km
Rolls Royce Cullinan SUV
6.75L V12
341g CO2/km
Maserati GranCabrio MC
4.7L V8
337g CO2/km
McLaren 600LT
3.8L twin-turbocharged V8
276g CO2/km (508 g CO2/km on suburban roads)

750 vulnerable Australians aged between 16 and 21 will participate in workshops and group counselling services to address barriers to finding a job through a $1.09 million in funding from the Morrison Government.
The Dependence to Independence project will help young people in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria find a job by providing the opportunity to participate in workshops and support meetings.
Minister for Families and Social Services Paul Fletcher said the workshops will be tailored to each young persons individual circumstances and help them to develop the life skills to find a job or pursue further study.
“The emotional needs and barriers to employment for young people at risk of long-term unemployment are varied, but they can include disengagement from education, family breakdowns, history of abuse, drug and alcohol misuse, family instability including living in out-of-home care, and experiences with the juvenile justice system,” Mr Fletcher said.
“Our Liberal National Government is committed to giving anyone who wants to have a go, a fair go, and supporting our young people into finding their first job is a perfect example of having a go,” said Mr Fletcher.
Dependence to Independence will help participants to identify what is holding them back from finding and keeping a job, and encourage them to take positive steps in the right direction by increasing their communication, social and emotional skills, self control and resilience
Liberal Candidate for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh welcomed the announcement for Western Sydney and said that project graduates who wish to become peer mentors will also be offered further training in leadership and facilitations skills.
“These graduates will go on to lead the support workshops and meetings for future participants,” Ms McIntosh said.
Dependence to Independence will be delivered by Youth Insearch, a community organisation based in North West Sydney that has been running youth intervention and peer mentoring programs since 1985.
CEO Heath Ducker said connecting teens with appropriate role models plays a critical role in dealing with trauma and empowering young people to take responsibility for their futures.
“This project is about showing young people, particularly those who’ve had a troubled start to life, what they can do with the right tools to turn their lives around.
“It’s not just about skills development, it’s about encouraging young people to support their peers and work towards changing attitudes and outcomes together to break the cycle of welfare dependency,” Mr Ducker said.
Dependence to Independence is supported under the Australia Government’s $96.1 million Try, Test and Learn Fund that is trialling innovative ways to improve the lives of Australians identified as being at risk of long-term welfare dependency.

A group of Australia’s top apprentices, trainees and VET graduates have been selected for the national Skillaroos team to compete at the WorldSkills International Competition to be held in Kazan in Russia in August.
The Global Skills Challenge saw competitors from New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada and France, Russia, Brazil, Singapore, Japan and China travel to take part in 24 skill categories.
Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Senator Michaelia Cash, praised the team, which was announced following the Global Skills Challenge which has been underway in Melbourne this week.
“I congratulate the members of the Skillaroos team – they represent our very best of Australia’s VET graduates. It is an honour to be selected to represent your country at an international level,” Minister Cash said.
Minister Cash had the opportunity to see some of the Skillaroos in action at the Global Skills Challenge, pitting their skills against 185 competitors from 15 countries, in the last big training session before the WorldSkills International Competition.
“The Skillaroos represent the many skilled workers and tradespeople throughout Australia we all rely on to deliver the services and systems that keep our communities ticking over every single day.” Senator Cash said.
“It is the skilled workforce that drives our economy, our business and industry” Minister Cash said.
In the recent Budget the Government, who supports WorldSkills through a $5.4 million commitment over the next three years, bolstered its support for vocational and skills training with a wide-reaching Skills Package.
“Australia’s modern economy will need flexible and applied ways of learning to deliver the skills needed for today and tomorrow,” Minister Cash said.
The Government’s Skills Package – Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow – will ensure that Australians have the right skills to succeed in a changing labour market, and that businesses have access to the skilled workforce they need to grow and prosper.
Investing in Australia’s VET sector is a key element in our Government’s plan to create an additional 1.25 million jobs over the next five years. A responsive and flexible VET system will equip Australians with the skills they need today in in the future.
“I wish the Skillaroos team every success in the coming months as they prepare to compete in Kazan. You are great ambassadors for your communities, for your industries, and for Australia.”

The Morrison Government is investing in advanced communications and earth observations from space with $55 million for a new industry-led cooperative research centre in South Australia.
The SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre will support the next wave of growth in Australia’s critical industries like agriculture, transport, logistics, communications and mining, generating new high-tech jobs and strengthening national defence and security.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the SmartSat CRC would complement the work of the Australian Space Agency, established by the Coalition Government in 2018.
“This industry-led research collaboration involves a broad cross section of the Australian space industry, governments and the research sector,” Minister Andrews said.
“SmartSat CRC will foster the creation of next generation space-technologies and professionals, and make Australia more competitive in the US$350 billion global space economy.”
The SmartSat CRC will focus on three key areas identified by industry through a rigorous consultation process: enabling advanced communications, the development of intelligent satellite systems, sensors and technologies, and the next generation earth observation data services.
“The CRC Program is a proven model of industry and research cooperation that produces impressive commercial results,” Minister Andrews said.
“Our aim is to improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries.”
The funding provided by the Morrison Government will be matched by $190 million in cash and in-kind contributions from dozens of participants in the CRC.
The CRC’s key education and training goals are to assist in graduating 73 PhD students, and build the pipeline of school, undergraduate and vocational education students, and assist with the development of the skills required to succeed.
The CRC will seek to advance gender and diversity equity in STEM related industries by inspiring women and Indigenous Australians to pursue careers in space.
Around $747.9 million in funding has been committed to CRCs since the Liberal National Government came into office in 2013 and this latest funding further builds on our commitment to strengthening Australian industry, strengthening our economic growth and helping to create 1.25 million jobs in the next five years.
For more information on the CRC Program visit www.business.gov.au/crc