Labour's Future Made in Australia Bill focussing on an economy driven by renewable energy overlooks gaping issues, according to Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton.

The Bill forms part of the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia policy announced as part of the 2024-25 Budget. It proposes to establish criteria and processes for decision-making and provide certainty for the private sector to attract private capital in areas of national interest. Within the Bill, the government suggests that the skills learned in the mining sector can be transferred to a clean-energy occupation, such as electricians. 

But the local Federal Member is frustrated and spoke out against the Bill in Parliament last week. "This is just another example of the disconnect of our city-based MPs who think they're going to serve the environment while creating jobs without any real understanding of how it works," Mr Coulton said. 

He said the $22.7 billion Bill does not factor in key questions. "We're struggling to find the people needed to fill current job vacancies, so I'm not sure where the workforce is going to come from for a renewable manufacturing sector."

The skills learned in the mining sector cannot simply be transferred into the renewable energy sector, the Federal Member said. 

"The Labour Government has mentioned transitioning former mine workers to the clean energy sector, however, there are some problems with that solution.

"Those who work in mining are highly skilled and highly paid and I don't believe the workforce needed for renewables would require the same level of skills or the same numbers once construction is complete.

The Future Made in Australia Bill highlights five industries to create a sustainable future: renewable hydrogen, critical minerals processing, green metals, low carbon liquid fuels, and clean energy manufacturing. 

Mr Coulton said that many of the renewable energy technology is created with the help of critical minerals that are produced in the mining sector. 

"The reality is that critical minerals and rare earths are essential for a range of clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, and batteries, so you can't have renewables without a mining sector. 

"Australia needs to continue investing in mining if we're going to have enough raw materials to create clean energy technology as well as having the energy required to power these factories, so we need a balance of both."