Australia’s Industrial Future Has A New Voice

Andrew Willcox MP

In a time when global supply chains wobble and energy debates rage louder than ever, one of Canberra’s rising regional voices is helping shape the blueprint for Australia’s industrial backbone — and he’s doing it with the grounded pragmatism of someone who prefers welders and workshop floors to whiteboards and buzzwords.

From exploring advanced manufacturing hubs in Paget to backing sovereign rocket launches in Bowen, the Federal Member for Dawson is stepping into a national spotlight with two heavyweight roles: Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capabilities, and now a key appointment to the Coalition’s Energy Policy Development Group.

Andrew Willcox is using his new portfolio to champion both national resilience and regional industry. And while his appointment was welcomed as a political elevation, the member himself sees it as a practical opportunity to make a tangible difference.

“This isn’t just about policy on paper, it’s about getting out and listening to manufacturers and industry stakeholders across the country,” he said.

“We need to find out what their limiting factors are and develop policy that helps them grow, innovate and employ.”

For Mr Willcox, the brief goes far beyond traditional manufacturing. His portfolio intersects with critical national challenges, from fuel security to agricultural inputs, from aerospace engineering to defence applications.

“One of the most urgent things I want to tackle is fuel security,” he said.

“As a country, we should have at least a three-month supply of fuel onshore. I don’t believe we currently do. That has major implications for everything, transport, emergency response, and food supply.

“If we’re talking about sovereign capability, this has to be top of the list.”

Equally pressing is Australia’s ability to produce key agricultural inputs like fertilisers and crop protection chemicals.

“We rely heavily on overseas sources for these essentials,” he said.

“If international supply chains are disrupted, we’re in serious trouble. I want to see us develop the capacity to manufacture more of these products domestically, and not just at a pilot scale, but at commercial volumes.”

Mr Willcox is also passionate about the potential of space and precision manufacturing. His electorate includes Gilmore Space Technologies in Bowen, which (at the time of print) is preparing to launch Australia's first locally-built orbital rocket.

“Most of the satellite components are already being made here in Australia,” he said.

“If we can manufacture more of the precision parts as well, then we control the process from the factory floor to low Earth orbit. That’s not just great for jobs, it’s essential for national security and data sovereignty.”

The overlap between space technology and defence is another area Mr Willcox intends to explore.

“We’re seeing real crossover between propulsion systems used for rockets and the kind of technology our defence forces need. Supporting these industries is not just smart, it’s strategic.”

But while his eyes are on national outcomes, his feet remain firmly planted in his electorate.

“I’m encouraging manufacturers in Dawson, from Mackay to Townsville, from Paget to Wulguru, to get in touch,” he said.

“If you’ve got an idea, a bottleneck, or a project you think could contribute to our economy or Australia’s sovereign capability, I want to hear from you.”

Mr Willcox’s influence on national policy has grown in parallel with his manufacturing brief, with a recent appointment to the Coalition’s energy policy development group marking another significant step in his federal portfolio.

“This is about developing practical, forward-thinking energy policy that supports economic growth, energy reliability, and environmental responsibility,” he said.

“We need to listen to voices from industry, agriculture, and the scientific community to ensure the path forward is balanced.”

For Mr Willcox, energy and manufacturing are deeply intertwined.

“Without reliable and affordable power, our industries suffer. That’s why I’m committed to shaping policy that strengthens our energy independence and supports sovereign production.”

This dual responsibility, championing both manufacturing and energy, places Willcox at the centre of two of the most pressing policy challenges of the next decade. It’s a role he doesn’t take lightly, but one he’s embracing with characteristic pragmatism.

“It all comes back to self-reliance,” he said.

“That’s what sovereign capability means, and that’s the future I want to help deliver.

“We’re in a complex geopolitical moment,” he added.

“We need to be able to take care of ourselves as a country, to keep the wheels turning even in uncertain times.

“Sovereign capability means being able to make what we need, when we need it, right here at home.”

And while the work is just beginning, the potential, like the rocket about to launch in his electorate, is sky high.

andrewwillcox.com.au/

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