On Background: Productivity concerns over Australian solar
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The Prime Minister has already made it clear what will be the centrepiece of the next federal budget. His second term agenda centres around a Future Made in Australia. Everyone loves the idea of more stuff being made in Australia, particularly Labor Prime Ministers - but the question is at what cost to taxpayers and to consumers. Now, we still don't know all of the details of this plan for a future made in Australia. But we do know it will involve government subsidies and tax incentives aimed at trying to encourage more manufacturing of things like solar panels, batteries, and other green tech that's going to be needed in the transition to net zero future. Various former Productivity Commissioners have warned about a return to the bad old days of protectionism, throwing money around on uncompetitive industries. And even the current Productivity Commissioner Danielle Wood, appointed to the role by the treasurer late last year, has raised some concerns. David Speers speaks to Commissioner Wood in the latest episode of Insiders: On Background.
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