‘Australia on steroids’: Canavan to pitch ‘economic revolution’ in key speech

More factories, tighter borders and an end to a renewables-only future are among key points in Nationals leader Matt Canavan’s vision for an “Australian economic revolution”.

Senator Canavan will on Wednesday use a National Press Club address to call for an “Australia on steroids” as the country weathers global economic shocks and declining standards of living.

Framing his speech around anecdotes of crafting furniture in his backyard shed, he will use the image of hands-on work to argue that Australia has lost its identity as a nation of builders and producers, according to an advanced copy of his remarks.

“Australia has always defined itself by the things we make, build and grow,” the speech said.

“We made cars, we built the Snowy Hydro, Queenslanders are known as banana benders, and yes – we invented the Hills Hoist clothesline.

“But as our factories have shut and we’ve made fewer real, physical things, Australia has shrunk.”

Senator Canavan will link that decline in “making real, physical things” to the biggest “reduction in living standards” the country has seen.

“A whole generation of Australians has gone backwards a generation,” he will say.

Offering himself as a disruptor of the political status quo, Senator Canavan will pledge to challenge the Albanese government and shake up economic policy.

Scrapping Labor’s plan for net zero emissions by 2050 is at the top of that list.

“We need to scrap net zero. We need to make things again. We need to protect our industries so we can make things again. We need to grow Australia so we can defend Australia and pass it on to the next generation,” he will say, offering six points for his “Patriot Agenda for an Australian Economic Revival”.

“A manufacturing renaissance through the protection of key industries against unfair competition – and all tools should be used to achieve this, including tariffs.

“Closing our borders to mass migration so our intake is properly calibrated to the infrastructure, services and housing we have.

“Energy abundance by scrapping net zero and investing in all forms of energy so Australia can enjoy lower prices and deliver real fuel security.

“A 21st-century national works program that builds dams, roads, rail, ports – and space ports – to renew our pioneer spirit.

“The building of new cities so young Australians can a afford a home and access the same services offered in capital cities.

“And a new baby boom so that our Australian way of life can be passed on to the next generation.

“I am proposing an Australian economic revolution, not a replay or a reset. We won’t get revival by tinkering around the edges.”

As part of emphasising the need for regional development, he will suggest that work-from-home opportunities could help decentralise the population and make housing more affordable for families.

The senator is also expected to link population policy to national identity, arguing that Australia’s falling birthrate threatens the country’s future and that immigration systems need tighter oversight.

Senator Canavan took up the Nationals’ top job in March after predecessor David Littleproud declared himself “buggered” and stepped down.

Senator Canavan has earned a reputation for being a political maverick and led the policy work that saw the Nationals scrap net zero last year.