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Economic Development and National Industrial Renewal
Australia's long-term prosperity depends upon a productive economy, strong domestic industry, modern infrastructure, and affordable energy. For too long, governments have relied on resource exports and service-sector growth while neglecting the industrial capacity that once formed the backbone of our economy.
Our economic strategy is focused on rebuilding Australia's productive capabilities, strengthening national resilience, reducing the cost of doing business, and creating high-skilled employment opportunities for future generations.
Rebuilding Australian Heavy Industry
Australia possesses some of the world's richest natural resources, yet too much of our economic value is generated overseas rather than within our own borders.
We will support the expansion of domestic metallurgical, refining, and advanced materials industries, allowing Australia to capture a greater share of the value created from its resource sector. Rather than exporting raw materials and importing finished products, we will encourage greater domestic processing and manufacturing capability.
Developing these intermediate industries will strengthen supply chains, increase economic output, create highly skilled jobs, and reduce unnecessary freight demands by locating production closer to domestic markets.
Combined with strategic transport investments, this approach will lower freight costs, improve industrial efficiency, and increase Australia's competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.
Reviving Australian Manufacturing
Australia should once again be a nation that makes things.
Building upon expanded heavy industry, we will support the re-establishment of advanced manufacturing capabilities, including vehicle production, engineering industries, industrial equipment manufacturing, and critical component supply chains.
A key priority will be the development of domestic parts manufacturing and industrial support industries. This will strengthen economic resilience, reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, lower maintenance costs for consumers and businesses, and provide greater certainty for industry.
Our long-term objective is to transform Australia from a net importer of manufactured goods into a globally competitive producer capable of exporting high-quality products to regional and international markets.
The decline of Australian manufacturing has left many communities behind. We believe rebuilding this sector is essential not only for economic growth but also for restoring national confidence, technological capability, and economic sovereignty.
A National Railway Strategy
Infrastructure investment is one of the most effective ways to increase national productivity.
We will undertake a major expansion of Australia's passenger and freight rail networks, recognising that efficient transport systems are essential for a nation of Australia's size and geographic complexity.
Rail freight is significantly more efficient than long-distance road transport and offers substantial economic, environmental, and infrastructure benefits. Expanding rail freight capacity will reduce transport costs, ease pressure on road networks, decrease congestion, and improve the movement of goods across the country.
Our railway strategy will include:
- Expansion of intercity freight corridors.
- Development of high-speed passenger rail between major population centres.
- Modernisation and expansion of metropolitan rail systems.
- Improved transport links to regional communities and industrial hubs.
- Integration of freight and passenger networks into a coherent national transport framework.
These investments will create thousands of construction and engineering jobs while laying the foundation for decades of economic growth and regional development.
Affordable and Reliable Energy
Industrial growth requires affordable and dependable energy.
We will continue investment in modern energy infrastructure and support the expansion of clean energy generation to ensure Australian households and businesses benefit from reliable, low-cost electricity.
New industrial developments supported under this economic strategy will be powered by newly developed energy capacity, ensuring that industrial expansion does not come at the expense of household affordability.
We will also commission an independent assessment of nuclear energy and associated industries to determine whether nuclear generation can contribute to Australia's long-term energy security and economic development.
Alongside energy generation, we will invest heavily in grid modernisation and advanced energy storage technologies. By improving battery storage, transmission infrastructure, and grid resilience, Australia can better manage fluctuations in energy supply while maintaining affordable electricity prices.
The goal is straightforward: abundant, reliable, and affordable energy capable of supporting both households and a modern industrial economy.
Innovation, Research, and Enterprise
Economic growth depends not only on infrastructure and industry, but also on innovation.
We will increase support for research and development, advanced technologies, and emerging industries that have the potential to drive future prosperity.
By encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting innovative Australian businesses, and strengthening partnerships between industry, universities, and research institutions, we will create an environment where new ideas can become successful enterprises.
This strategy will generate high-skilled jobs, improve productivity, and position Australia as a leader in the industries of the future.
A Partnership with Business
Economic growth requires cooperation between government, workers, and businesses of all sizes.
Our economic strategy is designed to lower production costs, improve infrastructure, strengthen supply chains, and create new opportunities for investment and expansion. As industrial capacity grows and government revenues increase through broader economic activity, we will pursue policies aimed at reducing unnecessary tax burdens on households and productive businesses.
We do not support widespread nationalisation of private industry. Instead, we support fair competition, responsible taxation, strategic public investment, and policies that encourage long-term productive growth.
Small businesses, family enterprises, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs will remain central to Australia's economic future.
Building a Stronger Australia
Our vision is clear: a nation that manufactures, innovates, builds, and exports.
By investing in industry, infrastructure, energy, research, and transport, we can create an economy that delivers higher wages, lower costs, greater resilience, and expanded opportunity for all Australians.
Rather than relying solely on consumption and resource exports, Australia can once again become a productive economy capable of competing confidently on the world stage while delivering prosperity at home.