Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Local Industry Preference) Bill 2026; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate concerned a private member's bill to amend Commonwealth procurement rules to prioritise Australian manufacturing. The member for Fowler argued that current government spending on future industries neglected traditional manufacturers, citing specific gaps in support for steel and textiles. The member for Calare supported the legislation, highlighting the resilience of local businesses in regional New South Wales. Both speakers advocated for mandatory local content requirements in federal tenders to protect domestic jobs and supply chains.

Outcome

The motion for the second reading was moved and seconded, but the transcript does not record the final vote or passage of the bill.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Dai Le (Fowler) (Independent) Ind

Le argued that the government's $22.7 billion commitment to future industries excluded traditional manufacturers such as steel fabricators and textile workers. Le contended that domestic producers were structurally disadvantaged by imports from countries with lower labour and environmental standards. The bill proposed amending the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 to require at least 30 per cent of goods in specified projects to be made in Australia. Le cited RMIT modelling suggesting the reform could generate $641 million in economic uplift and over 950 new jobs in the textiles sector alone. Le compared the proposal to the New South Wales government's recent legislation mandating local content weightings in tenders.