Industry Minister Tim Ayres has warned the world is “being remade around us” as the Albanese government grapples with the Iran fuel crisis – calling on Australians to embrace a “constructive nationalism”.
The NSW Senator is expected to strike a defiant tone as he fronts the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, more than three weeks into the Iran war.
“The world is being remade around us. Rules and norms are in flux,” Senator Ayres will say, according to excerpts released of his speech.
“We don’t have time to stand around admiring problems. We must make Australia stronger, smarter, safer – and more resilient to the shocks that keep coming.”
Senators Ayres will urged Australians to “marshal” behind the best and brightest and rebuild industrial and research capability.
“There’s no time for silos,” he is expected to say.
“This is a time for public service and deliberate, constructive Australian nationalism.”
On Monday, Senator Ayres revealed eight per cent of Australia’s service stations were without at least one type of fuel, mostly in NSW and Victoria.
So far, the Albanese government has avoided calls for fuel rationing, while at the same time releasing some emergency supply and lowering sulphur and diesel standards.
However, the government has toughened its messaging in recent days, with Anthony Albanese on Monday night calling for “progressive patriotism”.
Senator Ayres is expected to tell the National Press Club the current times “require deep thinking, heavy lifting, and co-ordinated effort”.
“Times are tough, and budget processes are tough. But this is the Albanese Government’s mission,” he will say.
“To stop the drift and replace it with discipline and determination to deliver at a critical juncture in Australia’s history.
Taking credit for “the largest pro-manufacturing industrial policy in Australian history”, Mr Ayres said it would be “all hands-on deck”.
“Government – commonwealth, states and territories. Private sector. Workers. Managers and business owners. Scientists. Researchers. Investors,” he will say.
“My job is to bring that effort together – to squeeze every ounce out of the system and deliver with impact.
“This is a mission of enormous consequence for Australia’s strategic capability, economic resilience and national security.
“Economic security is national security – and research and development is central to delivering for the country we love, and the working people lucky enough to call Australia home.”
The Albanese government on Tuesday celebrated the signing of a long-awaited trade deal with the European Union.
It comes after renewed threats of trade tariffs from both the United States and China.
Earlier this week, International Energy Agency Executive Director Faith Birol appeared before the National Press Club.
