Luke Gosling
Solomon · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Yesterday marked one year since the Albanese government's landmark $3.9 billion National Access to Justice Partnership 2025-30, the NAJP, commenced. It represented our government's largest investment in legal assistance.”
“I acknowledge and thank these local providers and the private sector practitioners supporting them for their professionalism, their expertise and their unwavering commitment.”
“The bill also modernises and clarifies the Defence health system framework by establishing a dedicated legislative basis for Defence health services, including clinical governance, health monitoring, quality assurance and improvement activities, enabling lawful, proportionate use of health data to improve health care, suicide prevention a…”
“Critically, the bill supports a more integrated approach across Defence, the Department of Veterans' Affairs and other portfolio agencies, including the new Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency that was launched this morning, and the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission that began last year.”
“Purposefully, we need members of this place and senators to take their responsibility to lower anxiety and to provide proper information. A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 13:03 to 13:12 We are making it so the DVA can operate better, with increased efficiency, to deliver a level of serv…”
“Our government is working at pace to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Acknowledging the national tragedy of veteran suicides, this government called for the establishment of the royal commission while we were in opposition, and we have supported the work of the royal commission since…”
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“I want to just make a quick comment that the financing that's involved with the NAIF is vital, but it's also vital that we're doing all the things that we're doing to get a workforce and to provide pathways for not just First Nations people but non-Indigenous people as well in the Northern Territory, WA and Queensland who have been underemployed and to build our own. That's what a lot of our policies are about in terms of fee-free TAFE and any work that we can do to have a pipeline of northern Australians to do all the work that we need done in the north. They are the workers and the workforce that we can depend on the most, obviously. So that's also important work. There is important work also done by the offices. So I want to give a shout-out as well to the NAIF office and the Office of Northern Australia.”
“I was also delighted to spend some time with IRG member Alinta McGuire in Darwin recently with my colleague the Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Nita Green. We had a great conversation. I also want to publicly thank past members of the Indigenous reference group, including Darwin fellow and good bloke Jerome Cubillo, Tara Craigie, Peter Jeffries, Gillian Mailman and the former chair Colin Saltmere, for their contribution to the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group and support for northern Australia.”
“They have abundant resources and the climate that we quite love, but the vagaries of tropical weather systems, as we saw on the weekend, also make them interesting and exciting places to live and carry some challenges that the NAIF was set up to help with by growing financial ecosystems throughout the north with responsible investment through the NAIF on those long-term development goals. The north is absolutely central and essential to our nation's future prosperity and, of course, our security. I want to give a shout-out to the reference group for First Nations people across northern Australia. The IRG, the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group, is led by the esteemed chair Professor Martin Nakata.”
“The Albanese Labor government has worked to ensure that the NAIF is supporting projects that deliver tangible benefits to northern Australian communities. So far, $4.32 billion has gone to finance infrastructure development across the north of Australia, including 14 projects in Queensland, 10 in WA and eight so far in the NT. The NAIF was designed to address a lack of private investment that we sometimes see in the north, although more enabling infrastructure is drawing in more private investment. It is understood by people living in the north that things cost more. There are higher risks associated because of our distance from the main population capitals in the south and the remoteness of many of these areas of the north.”
“The work addressing critical issues such as housing availability in the north and enabling greater First Nations economic self-determination and progress is only made possible through collaboration. So it was good to hear from the minister, the member for Brand, about the decision to extend the life of the NAIF, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund. That 10-year extension of the NAIF will mean that it can continue to invest in projects right across the north, well beyond the current investment deadline of 30 June next year. That will reassure communities and stakeholders in the north, many of whom contributed to the review. The short story is that the NAIF has been topped up and is here to stay, and long may it be topped up and long may it stay.”
“Cyclone Fina and the damage and disruption created is indeed a timely reminder of the extra challenges faced by people and communities right across the north of Australia. It's very heartening to hear about the progress being made through the Northern Australia Action Plan's first annual progress report. To see that progress on the ground is important and is part of my job as the special envoy for northern Australia. The work being done is strengthening an already resilient north; people living in the north of Australia are generally resilient. But it's also providing many further opportunities for the development of industries and infrastructure, and I want to go through those in a bit of detail.”
“Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I do appreciate that short recess as I was coming from the other chamber. It's an absolute privilege to be speaking in the Federation Chamber this afternoon about northern Australia, something very close to my heart, obviously, representing the people of Darwin and Palmerston and Territorians in our federal parliament. I was particularly proud of Territorians over the weekend, when Cyclone Fina came through from the east, moving across the Top End and now down to WA. Monday, when we started the clean-up, was the day when there were statements on northern Australia, and I couldn't be here, and I appreciate the opportunity to make some comments now.”
“For everyone else, who they're doing that on behalf of, stop and think a little bit about what it means to be trained up in order to use lethal force when lawful to do so in defence of our nation. It's a significant thing to ask someone to do. Their dedication to that role and their need to try to balance living in those two worlds—the world of applied focus, training, exercising, going on operations and wearing the nation's flag on their shoulder, but then also the other responsibilities that they have in life. On one hand there is operations conflict, training, humanitarian disaster and so many other roles. It's a special task, and we should thank them all for it. (Time expired)”
“The first regiment that I served with, the Royal Australian Regiment, has a proud history, as does the 1st Commando Regiment and NORFORCE, which I served with later, each with their different characteristics and traditions. I don't think the role of the infantry has ever been read into Hansard , but the role of the infantry is to seek out and to close with the enemy, to kill or capture the enemy, to seize and hold ground, and to repel attack by day or night regardless of season, weather or terrain. That's what we ask people in the infantry to do, and, at the end of the day, everyone who goes through Kapooka is trained to be a soldier, to take up arms and to defend our nation.”
“I gained some of that feedback on Remembrance Day earlier this month, on the 11th of the 11th, when we gathered at the Darwin Cenotaph for that service—which remembers the First World War and, indeed, everyone who's ever served—and were remembering and paying our respects to those who didn't come home or who came home changed forever. It was appropriate, I think, that it was pouring rain during the Remembrance Day ceremony in Darwin. It was good rain—probably the first good rain that we'd had at that point—and it was appropriate. There's a saying—'If it's not raining, it's not training'—and the reality of service is that, as the role of the infantry says, regardless of season, weather or terrain, you've got to perform your duty.”
“So we need to provide as much support as possible to those individuals, particularly if they've been affected by their service. I want to reflect on some of the feedback I've got and the good reports I'm getting from veterans about the way that DVA is getting through these claims. It is encouraging. For a long time, there were only negative stories about huge delays and difficulty with paperwork. I'm not saying that is all gone and there are no issues at all—of course we'll continue to make sure that our workforce at DVA is as well trained and effective as possible in getting support to members—but it has improved out of sight. When you hear that from veterans and their family members, you know that we're on the right track. There's a long way to go with the implementation of the recommendations from the royal commission, of course.”
“This is part of a long period of consultation and the action recommended by the royal commission which was needed to address the whole spectrum of support—from the time someone enters a recruiting system through their training, through their service and, following their service, as they go about life again. I want to pay tribute to everyone who has played a role or is playing a role in the health and wellbeing of our veterans, including our ADF members, and, importantly, of their families. It's often said that they're conscripts to service life because the family goes with the member. It's a deeply rewarding thing to have a family member representing our nation, but, at the same time, it can be difficult at times.”
“The bill deals with a range of other matters, including the review pathway; compensation for dependants of deceased veterans; funeral compensation; access to the MRCA education scheme; an additional disablement amount; the Victoria Cross allowance and the decoration allowance; service injuries, diseases and deaths arising from treatment; treatment for serving members; direct deductions; and application and transitional provisions. These are all really important topics that needed to be addressed and have been in this legislation. We don't want to see further delays, and we don't want to see any risk of interruption to critical benefits or payments to veterans and their families. That's why we are putting through this legislation. I expect that it will receive support.”
“There have been many enhancements that have been shaped by feedback from the veteran community across several consultation periods. I think it's important to note that the commencement date of the single act of 1 July next year ensures that the veteran community is well informed about the changes and what it means for them. As with any new act, of course, there are various technical amendments that are required, and the miscellaneous measures and amendments go to those technical aspects. Importantly, these include a commitment that no veterans or family members will experience a reduction in the support payments that they are already receiving. So there are important amendments there.”
“That had been, in the past, a common refrain from veterans—that they were very frustrated, angry and confused about how long it was taking, because there weren't enough people in the Department of Veterans' Affairs to get through all the claims that were in there. But it was also a fact that people had served under different pieces of legislation. Calls to address that complexity have indeed been longstanding. There was the VEA, the MRCA, the DRCA—depending on which period of the past that the individual served in. The VETS Act reduced those three acts down to one. Under revised arrangements, the VEA and the DRCA will continue in a limited form to support that single-act model that we're moving towards but will be closed to new claims for compensation and rehabilitation from 1 July 2026, from Territory Day next year.”
“The interim report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was released in 2022, and it contained recommendations that were deemed most urgent. We got after those recommendations and acted on them all. We legislated the VETS Act in order to simplify and harmonise the veteran compensation system. We know from the royal commission that this was very important. There was broad agreement in the veteran community about how important and necessary a change in the system was. In the handing down of its report, the commission observed that the current system, at that time, of veterans entitlements was so complicated as to adversely affect the mental health of some veterans and their families.”
“We must ensure that Australian workers' and consumers' rights are respected. Make Amazon Pay is a call to defend the basic principles of fairness, transparency, accountability, democracy and respect for local laws—our laws. It's time to make clear that no corporation, no matter how large or powerful, stands above our laws or the rights of workers. Finally, I say shop local, keep money in Australia, keep money in the Territory.”
“This is a message for Territorians and for all Australians: think before you click this Black Friday. Bernie Smith from the SDA said it so well: 'We don't work, in Australia, according to an algorithm; we work according to Australian legislation, Australian labour standards and Australian ideas of fairness. We want to make Amazon pay fair wages, we want Amazon to pay superannuation, and we want to make Amazon pay their taxes.' Amazon has shown repeatedly around the world that it doesn't respect the rights of working people. In Australia, Amazon continues to try and deny their workers a voice at work. Sometimes it seems that Amazon want to treat their humans, their workers, like they're robots. Digital surveillance of workers and consumers alike is also a serious problem.”
“We worked with those supporters of a royal commission, and the current Prime Minister committed to a royal commission from opposition, and, now in government, we are implementing the recommendations. The interim report was released a couple of years ago, in 2022. It contained recommendations that were deemed most urgent so that we could start getting after those recommendations. We have acted on them all, and that is a credit to the minister. We have cleared the backlog of unallocated compensation claims at DVA, which was causing a lot of angst, so that new claims are reviewed within 14 days. We have legislation the VETS Act, the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act, which harmonises legislation and simplifies the compensation system, and that is a good thing.”
“Every defence member, having made that solemn and sacred commitment to the nation and to the Australian people, should feel safe in the knowledge that, whatever may happen in their service, they and their families will be looked after and, indeed, acknowledged by a grateful nation. It is our nation's duty to empower and support the mental health and wellbeing of our defence and veteran community. There is an expectation from the Australian people that they will be looked after. I lobbied hard with the minister, who is in the room; with our prime minister, who was the then opposition leader; and with veterans and their families, particularly those family members who have lost loved ones by suicide.”
“I concur with the contributions of so many who have pointed out the fact that veterans are incredibly capable people and vital to the future of our nation and to upholding the sovereignty of our nation. I only have to think back to Darwin on the weekend, when veteran mates across our city played a helpful, calming role. Those in the emergency services obviously also played an active role. But the veterans who are walking the streets with a chainsaw, helping out their neighbours, are just one small example of how vital veterans are in our communities. That's what the ADF does. It provides Australian citizens with the opportunity to be trained up in one of our services, to manage risk, to lead under arduous conditions and to defend our homeland and our interests overseas.”
“I thank those who have acknowledged me and others in the parliament who have served in our Australian Defence Force. Across the parliament and across the chambers, we support our men and women in uniform and the sacrifices they and their families have made. We want to make sure that they get the best possible deal. As the Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and Northern Australia, I have the enormous privilege to meet with defence members and veterans across this country. And, as a fourth-generation veteran, I am proud of the contribution that my family has made to the defence of our country. Every day I talk to veterans and share their achievements and assist them with any challenges.”
“One week later, just 10,000 people remained in Darwin. We've come a long way since then. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries this time around. But, again, as they did 50 years ago, the Darwin community rallied together. It's important to note that this cyclone was a category 3, but in Darwin only a category 1. It can get much worse. Don't become complacent.”
“Witnessing the response of Territorians reminded me once again of the stories of bravery and fortitude that were shared at the Cyclone Tracy 50th anniversary commemorative event that we held in Darwin, with the Prime Minister and the Governor-General in attendance, on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day last year. The organisers of that event, Remembering Cyclone Tracy, brought together many of the survivors to reconnect, to remember and to reflect on the time when we lost at least 66 lives and more than 70 per cent of Darwin's buildings were destroyed. It was Australia's worst peacetime disaster in modern times until, of course, the devastating Black Saturday bushfires in 2009. It was the largest peacetime evacuation in Australian history, with 25,000 people evacuated by air and 7,000 by road.”
“The Albanese government, in partnership with the Northern Territory government, has activated disaster recovery assistance. As the Minister for Emergency Management said today in question time, in order to facilitate the recovery process, financial assistance has been made available under the disaster recovery funding arrangements, the DRFA, to provide immediate relief to individuals and families that have been displaced by Cyclone Fina and any flooding. Further information is available on the Secure NT website, or call the Cyclone Fina hotline on 1800888901 between 7 am and 7 pm daily, and, after that, normal emergency numbers if you need assistance.”
“Darwin and Palmerston and much of the Top End were buffeted by Cyclone Fina on the weekend, with Territory resilience and spirit shining through once again. I give a big shout-out to all the people of the Solomon electorate, those living in Darwin and Palmerston, but also to all Territorians across the Top End for their work to prepare ahead of Cyclone Fina and in its aftermath. I want to thank all the first responders, everyone working in our hospitals and everyone who assisted. That work continues—to clear the roads and to get the lights back on. Power has been restored to many homes, but many suburbs are still without power. People needing urgent assistance should visit the welfare recovery centre at the Marrara Indoor Stadium.”
“There's heaps happening in my electorate of Solomon, and it's all for the best for the duty of care we have to people living in the capital of the north. House adjourned at 20:00”
“It is providing dignity and is another way we are going to free up hospital beds at Royal Darwin Hospital and Palmerston Regional Hospital. And there's more. Darwin's headspace centre upgraded to a headspace Plus and to a youth specialist care centre in Darwin for young people with very complex needs—psychotic disorders, complex eating disorders, personality disorders and so forth. This is on top of the 30 per cent increase in health funding for Territory hospitals in this financial year. We're going into a period of negotiations for that agreement but we won't be going backwards. I was proud to deliver a number of commitments for Darwin and Palmerston at the election. Some of these commitments included the Zuccoli Community Hub, in Palmerston, and the early childhood education and care centre in Karama, to name a few.”
“This clinic will be open over extended hours, seven days a week, with no appointment needed, and all patients will be fully bulk-billed. The clinic will service Darwin and will help take pressure off the Royal Darwin Hospital, filling an important gap in services across extended hours and over the weekend. This follows on from the massive success of the Palmerston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, which has already had around 30,000 presentations. The government's expression of interest opened at the beginning of the month to identify a provider for a new 120-bed residential-care home in greater Darwin. More accommodation support for senior Territorians and getting our elders out of hospital has been a major priority for me.”
“We are also investing in hundreds of nursing scholarships and thousands more doctors in the largest GP training program in Australia's history—including in my electorate, with positions at the new CDU medical school. Since we tripled the investment in bulk-billing we have seen a turnaround in bulk-billing rates in the Northern Territory, with a 10 per cent increase from 71.5 per cent to 78.6 per cent—or around 89,000 additional visits. That's a big deal. Our investment in bulk-billing for all Australians is part of our commitment to strengthen Medicare. Labor created Medicare and the Albanese government will always strengthen Medicare. Our government is also delivering on its commitment for the Darwin Medicare urgent care clinics. The tender process to identify a provider to operate the new Darwin urgent care clinic closed in October.”
“Our team is committed to providing high-quality care to our community, and these reforms will help clinics like ours remain sustainable while meeting growing demand. More people in Darwin and Palmerston can now see a GP with no out-of-pocket costs. More than 20 GP practices in Darwin and Palmerston, in my electorate, have registered to become fully bulk-billing clinics from 1 November as part of the Albanese Labor government's historic $8.5 billion investment in Medicare. Our Medicare investment represents the largest single boost to Medicare in more than 40 years. We are delivering on the promise of more bulk-billing and more doctors.”
“Labor created Medicare, and now this once-in-a-generation change to bulk-billing will mean that more Territorians can see a doctor for free with no out-of-pocket expenses. That's right; bulk-billing is back, baby! I visited the Top End Medical Centre in Casuarina, and they confirmed that Territorians are appreciating the assistance with the cost of living through access to a GP for free in their clinics. Dr Marilou Capati, from Top End Medical Centre—which has four clinics across Darwin and Palmerston, in my electorate—said: We are proud to return to full bulk-billing, giving our patients in Casuarina and across Darwin access to essential healthcare without worrying about out-of-pocket costs.”
“My question is to the Minister for Emergency Management. What is our Albanese Labor government doing to support our Northern Territory communities following the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Fina, and how is the government helping to prepare the rest of the nation for similar events during this upcoming high-risk weather season?”
“Michael's story shows the power of community based healing and the importance of culturally grounded services that reflect and respect the people that we serve. Michael shows us that true excellence in counselling lies in lived in experience, deep care and long-term commitment to others. I congratulate Michael for this well deserved national recognition and thank him for his lasting contribution to the health and wellbeing of our entire community. And, obviously, after Tropical Cyclone Fina over the weekend and the last couple of days, I give a big shout-out to everyone there helping others through difficult times.”
“I want Australians to know about a Darwin local, Michael Torres, who was honoured at the national counsellors conference in Adelaide, where he received not one but two national awards. Michael was named Indigenous counsellor of the year and Counsellor of the Year 2025 by the Australian Counselling Association, which represents more than 20,000 practitioners across the country. Michael has worked in counselling and healing spaces for over two decades, including at the Darwin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Shelter and through his work with the Indigenous Men's Healing Shed. His work focuses on trauma informed care, cultural sensitivity and mental health advocacy for Indigenous men and First Nations people in general.”
“We're engaging with stakeholders to make sure that everyone who puts their hand up to wear our flag proudly is provided with the best possible support and care. That is important for our mental health responsibilities as the responsible 'mental health and men's health and all sorts of health' government that we are.”
“One is the leadership role that our government is taking to protect young children and teenagers under the age of 16 from the harms that social media incurs, giving them time to develop the tools to be able to manage that space more effectively and more safely. From 10 December, certain social media platforms will need to take steps to make sure that under-16-year-olds aren't able to have an account. One of the things I'm very proud to be working on with the member for Spence and others is veteran and ADF mental health. We pushed hard for a royal commission when we were not government. The royal commission is done. The recommendations have been laid down. We're getting after implementing those recommendations.”
“I want to thank all the frontline practitioners, the NT Health people and the system leaders who came together to identify solutions that are going to strengthen our support in the Northern Territory for Territorians with eating disorders or difficulties managing their relationship with food. It was really positive. That was highlighted by everyone. While the assistant minister was there, we also visited headspace. We've given them increased funding, so the Darwin headspace will become a headspace Plus. We also visited the Medicare mental health centre, which has also got extended hours now. Thank you to all those mental health professionals that are doing such fantastic work. Just finally, I want to touch on a couple of important things.”
“They're going to be working with young boys—in particular, those who have been exposed to family violence when growing up—and giving them the skills, support and encouragement to break those cycles. It's a very important program. It will work with boys from all backgrounds, but, particularly with the First Nations young men and boys, it is done in the culturally safe and appropriate way. When we talk about mental health, we know that a lot of damage is caused through eating disorders. In September, with my friend and colleague, the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, I hosted the Northern Territory Eating Disorder Roundtable with Eating Disorders Families Australia, led by Jane Rowan.”
“The men's shedders were at ShedFEST NT, which was hosted by the Australian Men's Sheds Association. It got all the men's sheds from around the Territory together up in Darwin. It was great to go along to that with Special Envoy Repacholi. It's a great way of getting men in a place where they can connect and chat. It's a safe space. They get to work on projects, share skills and connect. I mentioned our programs with young men and boys aged 12 to 18. Grassroots Action Palmerston has a program called Turtle Back. We have funded them to come up with a learning and leadership centre that they are putting into action. I've visited them and the physical infrastructure is going in.”
“This is particular important for mental health. Often we see great examples of men reaching out for mental health support, showing that getting that assistance is actually strength. In Darwin, we joined a men's health roundtable, which really highlighted all the fantastic things that a whole range of stakeholders are doing in the Territory. We talked about healthy masculinity, the progress of concepts of manhood and the engagement of young man in particular. But we're also putting our money where our mouth is, in terms of programs in my electorate that are working with teenage boys in particular, and I'll touch on those briefly. At the other end of the spectrum, it's not that men's sheds are only for senior men; they're there for a whole age range of men.”
“We had great meetings with a range of stakeholders that are focused on men's health and male health, including, of course, young men and boys. Dan's appointment as the Special Envoy for Men's Health underlines how our government is giving this the attention that it needs, and he is doing a sterling job. Many would have seen him shave off his voluptuous beard to raise money for charity for men's health related works. I congratulate him for everything that he's doing in that special envoy role. His message is the message of all of us, including the fantastic member for Spence, who also does great work in Adelaide, in the north of Adelaide and in South Australia generally in men's health. We do need to break down unhealthy masculine stereotypes of stoicism and bravado to encourage young men to access services and seek help when required.”
“Last month was National Mental Health Month. The theme of the month was 'Building Resilience: Communities and Connections'. I've got a fair bit to reflect on in this area for my own electorate, which includes Darwin and Palmerston. I have the privilege to serve Territorians along with, across the Territory, my colleagues the member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, and the minister, Malarndirri McCarthy. They are doing important work in this area as well. I want to acknowledge their work upfront. We have the aim in the Territory, working federally with all stakeholders, of improving mental health for all Territorians. I particularly want to thank some of my colleagues, including the member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi, the Special Envoy for Men's Health, who made the trek up to Solomon.”
“In my own office we're developing a domestic and family violence action plan, a DVAP, as part of No More's campaign to establish 90 plans in 90 days, honouring the more than 90 women in the Northern Territory who have been lost to family violence since 2000. Together we can take a stand to end all forms of violence, and I call on everyone to do just that.”
“Everyone has a role to play in ending domestic, family and sexual violence in our homes, workplaces and communities. Last week, hundreds of Territorians came together in the Darwin CBD to march and 'reclaim the night', standing shoulder to shoulder for safety, respect and equality. Their voices were joined by those of survivors and advocates, whose courage reminds us that real change begins when people speak out and stand together. Among the speakers was Schyler Kennedy, who shared her story with remarkable honesty and strength, reflecting the resilience of those rebuilding their lives with dignity and hope. Events like Reclaim the Night and National Survivors' Day, which we recently hosted in Darwin, remind us of our shared responsibility to replace silence with compassion and shame with understanding.”
“We saw this with our nickel and lithium sectors last year, and that also impacted my electorate and the Northern Territory. The reserve positions us as a reliable supplier and a global competitor. It will allow Australia to work with partners on trade and market disruptions from a position of strength. It supplements other measures we are implementing to support a critical minerals sector, such as the production tax incentive. We are committed to having the reserve operational by the end of 2026. That is a very important thing when you consider everything else we're doing for critical minerals and rare earths in our nation.”
“Australian consideration will be done in collaboration with our Australian financing facilities—the Critical Minerals Facility, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation—as previously mentioned. This framework commits us to providing at least $1 billion in funding to each project located in Australia and the United States. The framework will leverage existing policy tools such as the United States' industrial demand and stockpiling infrastructure and Australia's critical minerals strategic reserve. The establishment of a critical minerals strategic reserve by our Albanese Labor government will maximise the strategic value of Australia's resources. Australia has the critical minerals and rare earths that the world needs, but supply chains and markets are volatile.”
“It will strengthen investment in Australia's critical minerals sector by providing an architecture for Australian producers to access US financing—and vice versa; it goes both ways. It will also encourage greater investor confidence through enhanced market transparency and openness. Through the framework we will invest in critical minerals projects, enhance the capabilities of our mining and processing sectors, promote trade in minerals produced to a high standard and encourage markets to reward those high standards of production. We will cooperate on challenges such as unfair trade practices and price volatility, and we'll improve regulatory processes and collaborate on mineral recycling and geological mapping.”
“We've known for some time that our critical minerals are in demand, and we've been working to secure Australia's interest and create diverse resilient and sustainable critical minerals supply chains that reduce market concentration. The United States-Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths—otherwise known as the framework—which was announced during the visit to the United States last month by the PM and the Minister for Resources, Madeleine King, will take this cooperation forward with the United States. It will focus our bilateral efforts on overcoming barriers to the development of diversified liquid and free markets for critical minerals.”
“The Australian government has invested in the Nolans project with support from Export Finance Australia; the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, the NAIF; and the NRFC, the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation. The project will deliver over 600 construction jobs and a further 350 long-term operational roles. Arafura is a great example that Australia is home to some of the most valuable deposits of critical minerals and rare earths in the world—almost the whole periodic table, as the Prime Minster likes to remind us. Critical minerals are critical to the world's transition to net zero, including for batteries, wind turbines and solar panels. Rare earths are essential for high-tech manufacturing and defence, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, data centres and clean energy.”