A Broader Mandate

Willcox Takes Charge Of Shadow Manufacturing Portfolio

By Amanda Wright

Andrew Willcox, the Federal Member for Dawson, has been appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capabilities—an elevation that signals not only a deepening of his political responsibilities but a wider national recognition of regional Australia's role in securing the country’s future.

While the announcement from Nationals leader David Littleproud has been met with warm congratulations, Mr Willcox himself has approached the role with measured enthusiasm and a clear plan to ground national vision in local insight.

“I’m truly honoured to take on this role and welcome the faith placed in me,” Mr Willcox said.

“Manufacturing is a large contributing factor in our Australian economy—starting right here in Dawson, from Paget in Mackay through to Wulguru in the north.”

The new shadow portfolio carries significant weight. It touches on national security, economic resilience, regional employment, and long-term industrial policy. At its heart is the notion of self-reliance—Australia’s ability to design, produce, and sustain essential goods and infrastructure without undue dependence on foreign suppliers.

“There’s never been a more critical time to focus on our sovereign capabilities,” Mr Willcox said.

“From defence to food production, advanced manufacturing to aerospace—we must prioritise Australian-made at every level.”

His appointment coincides with a moment of symbolic national progress. The Dawson electorate will soon host the launch of Australia’s first fully homegrown rocket, produced by Gilmore Space Technologies in Bowen. For Mr Willcox, it’s more than a regional milestone—it’s emblematic of a new frontier.

“This rocket launch is a powerful symbol of what we can achieve when we invest in sovereign capabilities,” he said.

“We already build satellites in Australia. If we can launch them here too, we control the whole process—from the ground to low Earth orbit.”

Mr Willcox’s emphasis on sovereign control is no idle rhetoric. He frames it within broader geopolitical realities: the growing unease around dependence on potentially adversarial nations for critical technologies, including those with embedded cybersecurity risks.

“If we’re relying on overseas rockets to launch our satellites, we’re exposing ourselves to risks—economic and strategic. We need to be able to stand on our own two feet.”

But he's is not leaping straight into a national tour. Instead, he plans to begin his new portfolio where he knows best: On home soil.

“My first priority is to spend time in my own electorate,” he said.

“I want to talk directly to the manufacturers across Dawson, understand what’s holding them back and what policy levers we can pull to help their businesses thrive.”

From the underground mining lighting systems produced in Paget and exported globally, to the concrete-printed housing structures that could help solve the housing crisis, Mr Willcox sees manufacturing not just as a sector, but as a solution. He’s particularly interested in modular construction and offsite fabrication techniques that could fast-track new housing and infrastructure.

“I want to explore all the modern methods, whether that’s printing homes in a warehouse and assembling them like Meccano, or repurposing existing materials to meet the shortage.

"There’s a real opportunity to align manufacturing with social outcomes like housing.”

The breadth of the Dawson electorate provides a microcosm of the national manufacturing landscape. In Bowen, Willcox highlights the intersection of horticulture and industry, while in the Burdekin, a new industrial estate is opening up to support agricultural supply chains and mining equipment fabrication. Townsville is entering the frame with proposals for flatbed train carriage manufacturing and components for sustainable aviation fuel, a sector Mr Willcox says is ripe for expansion.

But it’s the coupling of local know-how and national policy that excites him most.

“I didn’t want to be pigeonholed as the ag guy,” Mr Willcox said.

“I’m proud of my background in farming, and I’ll always advocate for rural Australia, but this role allows me to contribute to something broader. It’s a stepping stone into deeper national service.”

For Mr Willcox, the goal is clear: Boost innovation, create long-term employment, and restore confidence in Australia’s industrial capabilities. That means listening to manufacturers, engaging with emerging sectors, and crafting policy that supports future-facing industries—from defence and agriculture to space and housing.

"If the pandemic taught us anything, it was the critical importance of self-sufficiency—our ability as a nation to produce what we need, when we need it, without relying on fragile global supply chains.

“A nation that can make things for itself is a nation that can grow and shape its own future,” he said.

“And that future starts here.”

Also this week, the Australian Electoral Commission made it official — Andrew Willcox was formally declared re-elected as the Federal Member for Dawson.

During the ceremony, the Divisional Returning Officer delivered a brief speech outlining the vote count and confirming the result. Mr Willcox was then invited to speak, followed by the unsuccessful candidates in order of their standing.

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, Andrew's wife Raylene, and AEC Divisional Returning Officer Sandra Sparti join AEC staff and volunteers to celebrate the official declaration of the Dawson result, with two volunteers proudly holding an "Awesome Dawson" sign crafted from the thimbles used to count ballots on election day. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

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