❓ State economy—Diversification—Defence industries 540. Mr Rhys Williams to the Minister for Defence Industries: I refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to diversifying Western Australia so th
AnsweredQoN 540Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
State economy—Diversification—Defence industries
540. Mr Rhys Williams to
the Minister for Defence Industries:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to diversifying Western Australia so that it
remains the strongest economy in the nation.
(1) Can the minister update the house on how the
government is ensuring that Western Australia plays a leading role in our
nation's defence industries?
(2) Can the minister advise how this will create
local jobs and deliver economic benefits for the state?
540. Mr Rhys Williams to
the Minister for Defence Industries:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to diversifying Western Australia so that it
remains the strongest economy in the nation.
(1) Can the minister update the house on how the
government is ensuring that Western Australia plays a leading role in our
nation's defence industries?
(2) Can the minister advise how this will create
local jobs and deliver economic benefits for the state?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for his
question and his support of the defence industry. A lot of it is going to be
happening very close to his electorate. The Western Australian Government has from
day one backed in the Commonwealth's efforts to deliver on the AUKUS
partnership. This morning, we heard good news regarding not just AUKUS but also
the Australian–American alliance; it is strong and it is robust. It is
stronger than it has ever been. We also heard that the AUKUS pathway to
acquiring nuclear submarines is strong, and that was confirmed and backed in by
the President of the United States. Very importantly, we heard about the huge
commitment by the United States to boost rare earths production and refining in
this nation. That is extraordinary.
Emblematic of that investment
and commitment is the focus on gallium. The Premier referred to gallium earlier.
Gallium is a by-product of the refining of bauxite. I think WA is the biggest
alumina exporter in the world; if we are not, we are very close to it. We have
huge bauxite reserves. Alcoa Australia, along with Japanese company Sojitz
Corporation, have committed to producing gallium next year. This is significant,
because the US Geological Survey included gallium in its critical minerals list,
ranking it number one of 50 in terms of critical minerals supply risks. Of all
the 50 critical minerals that the US Geological Survey identified, gallium is
number one. It is undeniable that China produces 98.8% of the world's refined
gallium, and the remaining 1.2% currently does not come from Australia. We have
heard from the Premier that as a result of the
agreement signed in the United States this morning, we will be producing
10% of the world's supply in the very near future. We will have a tenfold
increase in production. My understanding from discussions with Elsabe Muller of
Alcoa Australia is that we can produce more. That is essential, because this
material is essential.
When gallium is combined with
other materials, it produces a special class of chips called wide-bandgap semiconductors,
which can handle higher temperatures, voltages and frequencies than
conventional microchips. Gallium nitride is the latest version of the compound
that they utilise. These semiconductors are utilised in F-35 stealth aircraft,
missile defence systems and dozens of advanced naval warships. The use of these
upgraded microchips inside radar systems means that they can defend against
emerging threats like hypersonic missiles and next generation stealth aircraft.
They are also vital for the commercial sector. Their efficiency and durability
mean that they tolerate the harsh conditions of 5G base towers as well as improve
technology for green energy efforts like solar cells and electric vehicles. Basically,
they make everything work better and longer. We need gallium; the world needs
it. We need an alternative supply. If we do not have one, it will be subject to
supply disruption. The announcement this morning puts not just Australia but
also Western Australia at the absolute forefront of the world's response to
diversifying the supply of critical minerals like gallium.
question and his support of the defence industry. A lot of it is going to be
happening very close to his electorate. The Western Australian Government has from
day one backed in the Commonwealth's efforts to deliver on the AUKUS
partnership. This morning, we heard good news regarding not just AUKUS but also
the Australian–American alliance; it is strong and it is robust. It is
stronger than it has ever been. We also heard that the AUKUS pathway to
acquiring nuclear submarines is strong, and that was confirmed and backed in by
the President of the United States. Very importantly, we heard about the huge
commitment by the United States to boost rare earths production and refining in
this nation. That is extraordinary.
Emblematic of that investment
and commitment is the focus on gallium. The Premier referred to gallium earlier.
Gallium is a by-product of the refining of bauxite. I think WA is the biggest
alumina exporter in the world; if we are not, we are very close to it. We have
huge bauxite reserves. Alcoa Australia, along with Japanese company Sojitz
Corporation, have committed to producing gallium next year. This is significant,
because the US Geological Survey included gallium in its critical minerals list,
ranking it number one of 50 in terms of critical minerals supply risks. Of all
the 50 critical minerals that the US Geological Survey identified, gallium is
number one. It is undeniable that China produces 98.8% of the world's refined
gallium, and the remaining 1.2% currently does not come from Australia. We have
heard from the Premier that as a result of the
agreement signed in the United States this morning, we will be producing
10% of the world's supply in the very near future. We will have a tenfold
increase in production. My understanding from discussions with Elsabe Muller of
Alcoa Australia is that we can produce more. That is essential, because this
material is essential.
When gallium is combined with
other materials, it produces a special class of chips called wide-bandgap semiconductors,
which can handle higher temperatures, voltages and frequencies than
conventional microchips. Gallium nitride is the latest version of the compound
that they utilise. These semiconductors are utilised in F-35 stealth aircraft,
missile defence systems and dozens of advanced naval warships. The use of these
upgraded microchips inside radar systems means that they can defend against
emerging threats like hypersonic missiles and next generation stealth aircraft.
They are also vital for the commercial sector. Their efficiency and durability
mean that they tolerate the harsh conditions of 5G base towers as well as improve
technology for green energy efforts like solar cells and electric vehicles. Basically,
they make everything work better and longer. We need gallium; the world needs
it. We need an alternative supply. If we do not have one, it will be subject to
supply disruption. The announcement this morning puts not just Australia but
also Western Australia at the absolute forefront of the world's response to
diversifying the supply of critical minerals like gallium.
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