Senator Rex Patrick wants to ensure all essential resources are made in Australia

The federal government would be legally required to manufacture essential resources and products in Australia under a plan by Senator Rex Patrick.

The federal government would be legally forced to use onshore manufacturing for essential resources and products under a key election proposal by independent SA Senator Rex Patrick.

Senator Patrick has revealed a flagship policy to introduce a Bill that would establish an Australian Industry Capability Commission with powers to participate in government tender processes to ensure work stays onshore.

“Covid-19 has shown Australia to be far too vulnerable to unplanned events such as pandemics, major catastrophes or international conflict,” Senator Patrick said.

“Australia can no longer take overseas supply chains for granted – we must be able to withstand and bounce back from international events which interfere with critical industries and their supply chains.”

The Bill would force the government to identify and publish its local manufacturing weaknesses and take steps to fix them.

SA Senator Rex Patrick. Picture Matt Turner.

“The requirement to do this will not be spelt out as policy, which can change or easily be ignored by officials, as we’ve seen happen over and over again. Rather it will be enshrined in Australian law,” Senator Patrick said.

Senator Patrick said he would pitch his proposal to dozens of industry representatives on Wednesday.

“I’m not a rookie senator; I know what it will take to get this important national resilience and security initiative through the 47th Parliament,” he said.

“It’s critically important we arrest the decline in industrial capability and capacity in Australia and build strong foundations for our security.”

A sobering Flinders University report published in September last year revealed Australia’s dependence on imported goods was the highest in the developed world.

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