Zak Kirkup and the Liberals are fighting for the future of Western Australia’s manufacturing industry with incentives to strengthen local businesses and attract new companies to bring their operations to the state.
“A key part of the Liberals New Energy Jobs Plan is providing $250 million for special funds that will boost industry, open up international markets, and bring manufacturing back to our state,” WA Liberal leader Zak Kirkup said.
“We have very hard-working and innovative people leading industries in Western Australia that deserve our support as they recover from COVID and plan ahead for a better, brighter tomorrow.
“The Liberals New Energy Jobs Plan will deliver the industry support that is needed to take WA forward, create 200,000 new jobs over the next five years, and ensure that there are new opportunities for future generations.
“As well as delivering thousands of new job opportunities in industry sectors such as wind, solar, large-scale battery production, green hydrogen, steel and alumina, the Liberals’ New Energy Jobs Plan will also deliver net zero emissions for the WA Government by 2030.
“This game-changing project will lead us towards the same success that the North West Shelf Project has delivered for our state over the last 50 years.”
Shadow Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen David Honey said the $250 million would be allocated to three different industry funds as part of the Liberals New Energy Jobs Plan.
“These funds will provide one-off cash grants as well as other incentives such as land grants, payroll tax rebates, energy and water rebates, to strengthen and expand industry opportunities in Western Australia,” Dr Honey said.
“The Liberals want to showcase our state as an innovation hub and transform WA’s energy industry for the next 50-years to give our state fuel security and energy independence.”
The funds to strengthen local manufacturing and attract new priority industries for the state include:
$100 million Industry Attraction Fund
To attract companies to WA to develop priority industries, by providing one-off cash grants for site works, capital works, plant and equipment for contestable projects to base themselves here and establish new operations. This fund can also provide land grants, tax rebates and other government assistance.
$100 million International Market Diversification Fund
To expand international markets for WA industries by exploring and promoting trade opportunities for sectors such as agriculture, tourism, international education and minerals and energy, including hydrogen and lithium. This fund would also support the implementation of an International Markets Advisory Council reporting to the Premier.
$50 million Critical and Strategic Manufacturing Fund
To incentivise industries deemed essential to the WA economy. In addition to items such as personal protective equipment, projects that assist in delivering fuel security and processing critical materials will be eligible.
In addition to these funds, the Liberals New Energy Jobs Plan will also invest $100 million in a real plan to transition workers in the coal industry into long-term, secure jobs and provide them with financial security as the coal industry is progressively wound down in Western Australia.