The Future Made in Australia legislation has passed the lower house with amendments to recognise First Nations participating in and sharing in the benefits of the clean energy transition. 

Thank you to our First Nations members who provided valuable feedback on necessary changes to the Bill.

The Future Made in Australia Bill establishes a National Interest Framework against which government assistance is assessed, with the aim of shoring up Australia’s economy and protecting against potential supply chain shocks, and to assist in investment towards the transition to a net zero world.

Importantly, it also embeds First Nations communities sharing in the benefits of the transition.

The First Nations Clean Energy Network worked hard behind the scenes to get amendments to the original Bill.

We provided a submission on the Future Made in Australia Bill to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee in July 2024.

In our submission, we noted the Community Benefit Principles included in the Future Made in Australia Bill, as were then framed, did not adequately prioritise and focus decision-makers and proponents on achieving First Nations outcomes. As such, we suggested the following point must also be included in clause 10(3) of the Future Made in Australia Bill:

The Network also presented to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee in August 2024.

We also engaged with a number of Parliamentary members in the lead-up to the passing of the Bill, including Independent Zali Steggall MP who moved for amendments to be passed.

In debate around the passing of the Bill, the government stated that it is 'committed to ensuring First Nations communities and traditional owners have ownership of their future, built on a foundation of economic empowerment.

'These amendments include a new community benefit principle that requires decision makers providing Future Made in Australia support to have regard to supporting First Nations communities and traditional owners to participate in and share the benefits of the transition to net zero when providing Future Made in Australia support.

'New community benefit principle – supporting First Nations communities:

• Amendments 1 and 3 include a new community benefit principle that covers supporting First Nations communities and traditional owners to participate in, and share in the benefits of the transition to net zero. This is also inserted as an object of the Bill.
• This principle builds on the community benefit principle in subparagraph 10(3)(a)(iii) of the Bill (engaging collaboratively with and achieving positive outcomes for local communities, such as First Nations communities and communities directly affected by the transition to net zero).
• It is intended that the principle would direct decision-makers and proponents on achieving outcomes for First Nations communities and traditional owners, and acknowledge the critical role of First Nations communities and traditional owners’ participation in, and sharing in the benefits of, the energy transition to net zero.'

The Network has submitted recommendations to the government on ways to incentivise First Nations outcomes in the new legislation, such as through provisions for First Nations ownership, jobs, and business opportunities, as well as protections for cultural heritage and the environment.

See all amendments to the Bill passed here. 

The Bill will now be considered in the Senate.

Photo: Network co-Chair Karrina Nolan, Policy and Engagement Lead Kaneya Poudal and Director of Policy Jonathan Kneebone, with Zali Steggall MP in Parliament House.