Labor slams Coalition’s opposition to $15b manufacturing fund

A war of words has erupted after Labor claimed the Opposition had turned its back on manufacturers by opposing the government’s $15b reconstruction fund.

Queensland manufacturing jobs are under threat, according to Labor, following the Opposition’s move to oppose a major $15b fund.

A Federal Labor Minister has explicitly called out two LNP MP’s from Central Queensland, claiming they have turned their backs on farmers and major employers in the region.

Queensland Labor Senator and Agricultural Minister Murray Watt said the Opposition’s decision to vote against the National Reconstruction Fund was a massive “slap in the face” to regional jobs.

He said the Coalition’s move last week came just a day after one of the biggest investments in the state’s manufacturing industry, citing the State Government’s announcement of a $7.1b project at Maryborough.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt called on Colin Boyce and Michelle Landry over their party’s stance on the $15b fund. Picture: Liam Kidston

“How on earth can the LNP’s federal representatives, including Michelle Landry and Colin Boyce, justify turning their backs on jobs in their electorates,” Senator Watt said.

“It would’ve been easy for the LNP to get on board with this Fund, but it’s clear they’d rather bulldoze the country than build it,” he said.

Senator Watt said the National Reconstruction Fund was a key initiative of the Federal Government to rebuild Australian manufacturing.

 The fund will provide loans and equity investment for manufacturing, clean energy, defence and medical projects.

 It is also expected to invest $500m in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, fibre and food manufacturing for Queensland producers.

Central Queensland’s Keppel Brand is looking to establish a value adding facility to improve convenience food and create jobs. Picture: Supplied

WHO IS SET TO BENEFIT

Keppel Brand director Mark Davie said his company had earmarked the NRF as an opportunity to support the construction of a beef value-adding facility at Hidden Valley, near Yeppoon.

Mr Davie said the facility would house the latest food processing and coating technology to marry beef consumption with increased convenience food spend in Australia and new export opportunities for value added beef products.

“If we are able to benefit from funding through the NRF, it would have a profound economic benefit for the region, with about 107 full-time equivalent jobs and capacity for about $100m in additional revenue annually and a $200m annual benefit for Queensland” Mr Davie said.

Keppell Brand Directors, Kelly Newton and Mark Davie. Picture: Supplied

“We want to leverage our location and access to the incredible beef industry here in Central Queensland, this funding would allow us to continue investing in new technologies and create more skilled jobs and exciting career pathways in food manufacturing for our community,” he said.

LNP CLAIMS NRF MISSES THE MARK

In response to Senator Watt calling out Central Queensland’s federal representatives, Flynn MP Colin Boyce said the Coalition opposed the fund because it failed to address critical issues such as high energy prices, disrupted supply chains and labour shortages.

Flynn MP Colin Boyce, said the Coalition opposed the NRF because it had a poor funding model, among other reasons. Picture: Brad Hunter (Office of former Deputy PM)

“It is bad for taxpayers, bad for businesses, bad for manufacturers and bad for Central Queensland,” Mr Boyce said.

“The government is once again rushing through flawed legislation and trying to sidestep parliamentary scrutiny and that is not an appropriate way to establish a $15 billion government investment body.

“The government has changed Australia’s national manufacturing priorities on a political whim, undermining investment decisions and eroding investment confidence.”

Last week, the Coalition party room led by Peter Dutton, announced it would vote against legislating the National Reconstruction Fund.