Andrew Leigh

The Hon Andrew Leigh MP
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
RADIO INTERVIEW
2CC RADIO CANBERRA, BREAKFAST WITH STEPHEN CENATIEMPO
TUESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 2025

SUBJECTS: Net Zero, bulk billing, antisemitism

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO: Alright let's talk federal politics with the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, and the Member for Fenner, Andrew Leigh. Andrew, good morning.

ANDREW LEIGH: Good morning, Stephen. I'm surprised. I thought you'd be going for the former 2CC host as leader of the Canberra Liberals.

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO: I call it how I see it Andrew, and I imagine the more sensible people on your side of politics know that without a viable Opposition, you're not going to be the best government you can be either.

ANDREW LEIGH: That's right, certainly a good Opposition is essential to democracy. And yes, sadly at a federal and ACT level, the Liberals are more concerned about themselves than about the people.

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO: Yeah, it's one of those things that will annoy the electorate more than anything is when you talk about yourself and not about them. And you know, if we look at what's going on federally at the moment, all of the focus is on net zero. And now I imagine you and I are going to disagree on the policy of net zero, but all of the polling says it's not even registering with voters. They're worried about cost of living, cost of living, cost of living.

ANDREW LEIGH: Well, it's become a proxy as to whether you're serious about climate change and you know, of course, people know that Scott Morrison put in place the net zero policy in October 2021 alongside over 70 percent of the world's GDP and emissions, every business group in Australia and every State and Territory. So, you are stepping a long way outside the mainstream when you're against net zero.

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO: But isn't that the problem with this debate that it has become a proxy for action on climate change because it's not ‑ even you've got to admit there's more than one way to skin a cat?

ANDREW LEIGH: Oh, absolutely. But you know, I'm speaking to a Minerals Council of Australia event on Thursday and the mining industry is committed to net zero. You know, this is hardly a far-left communist plot; this is a mainstream policy accepted by conservatives in countries like Britain, Germany and New Zealand, and which…

The Hon Suzanne Orr MLA
Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water 

The Hon Chris Bowen MP
Minister for Climate Change and Energy

The Hon Andrew Leigh MP
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury
Member for Fenner

Neighbourhood batteries power up as part of Big Canberra Battery Project

10 November 2025

The ACT Government is building the energy infrastructure our growing city needs to reach net zero with the launch of the Casey Neighbourhood Battery.

The launch marks another important milestone in the rollout of the Big Canberra Battery Project and the ACT’s energy transition as we electrify our city.

The Casey Neighbourhood Battery has an energy-storage capacity of 225kWh and a maximum power output of 110kW, which can power up to 86 nearby households that are connected to the electrical sub-station adjacent to the battery.

The battery joins similar batteries in Dickson and Fadden, forming a growing network of neighbourhood-scale energy storage solutions across the ACT.

Delivered in partnership with Evoenergy, these three batteries are part of the ACT Government’s Big Canberra Battery project and are funded through the Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar Program. Additional funding has also been provided by Evoenergy to support the installation of these batteries.

The Hon Andrew Leigh MP
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
RADIO INTERVIEW
ABC RADIO CANBERRA, AFTERNOONS WITH ALICE MATTHEWS
MONDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2025

SUBJECTS: Albanese Government helping farmers and fresh food suppliers get a fairer deal when selling to supermarkets

ALICE MATTHEWS: ABC Radio Canberra, this is Afternoons and we know that Coles and Woolies are among the most profitable supermarkets in the world. The big question being, how do we tackle their market dominance? A couple of hours ago, the federal government announced the launch of a new program that they say will help fresh produce suppliers stand up to these big supermarkets by providing $2 million in grants to address this market power imbalance via education programs. Dr Andrew Leigh is the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury. Dr Leigh, good afternoon to you.

ANDREW LEIGH: Good afternoon Alice, great to be with you.

ALICE MATTHEWS: Walk me through the details of what you've announced this morning?

ANDREW LEIGH: Well, last year we toughened up the supermarket code of conduct. Under the Coalition it had no penalties. Under Labor it now has multi-million-dollar penalties for supermarkets who do the wrong thing by suppliers. We want suppliers to be informed of their rights and able to go toe-to-toe with the big supermarkets in order to get a fair deal for farmers. These grants will allow those suppliers to fully enforce the new rights that they have, thanks to Labor and the new mandatory supermarket code.

ALICE MATTHEWS: And when you say suppliers, you're talking about the farmers here?

The Hon Andrew Leigh MP
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
DOORSTOP
CASEY, ACT
MONDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2025

SUBJECTS: Launch of the Casey Neighbourhood Battery funded through the Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar Program

SUZANNE ORR: Thanks everyone for being here. By taking off that additional capacity within the generator from solar and storing it, we can use it at more hours of the day, not just when the sun is out. So, a really important part of our ever growing and diversifying electricity network is ensuring that we can really get the full benefits of renewables, and thank you to AGL and everyone for putting this together – this is helping us get to Net Zero. It’s exciting to see this lovely box sitting here. We would like to thank them for their support, for helping us do it. So, I’ll leave my remarks there. It is an Australian Government funded battery, so I would like to thank them for their contribution towards the grant helping us do it. I’ll hand over to my colleague Andrew Leigh, the Member for Fenner to say a few words. And if Kalara wants to say anything about the artwork I’ll just put her on the spot.

ANDREW LEIGH: Thanks very much Suzanne. And I too acknowledge the Ngunnawal people on the lands we’re gathered today. At the 2022 election, Labor announced that we'd be putting in place three community batteries in Dickson, Fadden and in Casey. We did that because we understand that batteries are an important part of the renewables transition. Just as we need dams because it doesn't always rain, we need batteries because the sun isn’t always shining and the wind isn’t always blowing. You can see around you a whole lot of houses with solar panels on their roofs, and as we get to the middle of the day, we're going to get to a point at which there is sufficient capacity from renewables that we won't need anything else.

The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury
Member for Fenner

New Facilities For Staff And Students At Taqwa School 

10 November 2025

Member for Fenner Andrew Leigh today opened a new two-storey extension at Taqwa School, marking a significant investment in the learning environment of local students.

The project received $702,613 in Australian Government support through the Capital Grants Program, helping to deliver four new classrooms and additional administration spaces.

Assistant Minister Leigh said the upgraded facilities would make a meaningful difference to daily life at the school.

“A school’s environment shapes how young people learn, collaborate and grow. This extension gives Taqwa School modern, practical spaces that reflect the ambition of its students and teachers,” Assistant Minister Leigh said.

“This community has put great care and effort into building a place where learning is encouraged and curiosity thrives. These new rooms will help the school continue that work today and for many years to come.”

The Hon Andrew Leigh MP
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury

The Hon Julie Collins MP
Minister for Agriculture

The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP
Minister for Small Business

Minister for International Development
Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Standing Up For Farmers: New Grants Help Suppliers Take On The Supermarket Giants

10 November 2025

The Albanese Government is helping farmers and fresh food suppliers get a fairer deal when selling to supermarkets.

Today, the Government is launching the Supporting Fresh Produce Suppliers – Food and Grocery Code Education Program, providing $2 million in grants to help fresh produce suppliers gain the skills they need to stand up to the big supermarkets.

This Program builds on the Government’s broader efforts to address the market power imbalance between fresh produce suppliers and large supermarkets while ensuring there are penalties for any wrongdoing.

This includes making the Food and Grocery Code mandatory from 1 April 2025 and committing to implement the ACCC’s supermarket pricing and competition report recommendations.

Under the Program, eligible industry associations are able to apply for grants to develop and deliver national education programs that provide smaller fresh produce suppliers with the tools and confidence to negotiate better deals with major grocery retailers.

The Hon Andrew Leigh MP 
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury 

The Next Chapter for Australia’s Charities

Speech To The Australian Charities And Not-For-Profits Commission All-Staff Meeting,
Melbourne

Friday, 7 November 2025

Good morning everyone and thank you for having me. I acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, and all First Nations people present today.

It is great to be back with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission team, the people who underpin Australia’s trust in the charitable sector.

Every time I speak with you, I am reminded that while the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission’s work might not always make the front page, it helps sustain the institutions that hold our society together. You are the quiet custodians of public confidence, the reason Australians can give, volunteer and partner with charities knowing those organisations are accountable and well-governed.

A Sector that Matters

Australia’s 65,000 registered charities are as diverse as the people they serve. They feed the hungry, preserve the environment, keep the arts alive and offer comfort in crisis. They are the sports coaches, the shelter workers, the conservationists and the advocates giving voice to those who might otherwise go unheard.

In total, the sector employs over one in ten Australian workers and mobilises the energy of millions of volunteers. It is a remarkable engine of social connection and compassion. And it functions well because you make sure it can be trusted.

Strengthening the Foundations

Since coming into government in 2022, we have worked to strengthen those foundations. We have improved the deductible gift recipient system, so community foundations, the backbone of local philanthropy, can now access tax-deductible status through a clear new pathway.

The Hon Andrew Leigh MP
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
RADIO INTERVIEW
ABC RADIO CANBERRA, BREAKFAST WITH ROSS SOLLY
THURSDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2025

SUBJECTS: Albanese Government funding for the ACT, bulk billing, National Security Precinct, Australian gas, Future Made In Australia, Solar Sharer CSIRO, aquatic facilities in Canberra, Gonski funding for ACT schools, superannuation,

ROSS SOLLY: ABC Canberra Breakfast, you are with Ross Solly and the Member for Fenner is here with us this morning. Andrew Leigh, good morning to you.

ANDREW LEIGH: Good morning, Ross, great to be with you.

ROSS SOLLY: And it is great to be with you. Are you ready for our listener questions this morning?

ANDREW LEIGH: Born ready.

ROSS SOLLY: Great, I'm very happy to hear it. So, we have a few people calling in already. Our number is 1300 681 666. If you've got a question you'd like, this is your opportunity. You hear enough of me banging on and asking questions, let's get your questions. Now let's go first of all to Steve. Good morning, Steve.

STEVE: Good morning, how are you?

ROSS SOLLY: Yeah, good thanks Steve. Andrew is listening.

STEVE: Yes, so my question goes towards appropriate investment into the ACT. I'm aware that in the last couple of days you announced $5 or was it $3 million that went into developing the Kingston Foreshore. But as you're aware, some of the other states are getting multi-billion dollar investments, an example would be the Whyalla Steelworks that got multi-billions to support its local community sustain itself, and also Victoria and Queensland and some of the other states have been getting huge amounts of investment from the Commonwealth.

Senator The Hon Murray Watt
Minister for the Environment and Water
Senator for Queensland

The Hon Andrew Leigh MP
Member for Fenner

Alicia Payne MP
Member for Canberra

Canberra's National Seed Bank Upgrade Expands Capacity To Safeguard Native Species

Thursday, 6 November 2025 

The National Seed Bank has undergone a major upgrade at its current Canberra site, to safeguard more of Australia’s native plants for generations to come.

The Australian Government has invested $5.7 million to support the centre in delivering expanded seed storage and more research opportunities, at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

The facility will play a vital role in protecting more than 4,000 species from threats such as climate change, fire and habitat loss.

Upgrades to the National Seed Bank include:

• Larger seed biology lab for studying seed traits and germination
• New seed preparation lab for cleaning and sorting seeds
• Expanded incubator room for testing seed germination under different conditions
• Specialist imaging rooms — separate seed X-ray and microscope spaces
• Bigger seed dry room to reduce seed moisture before storage
• State-of-the-art walk-in seed vault at -20°C for long-term preservation
• Dedicated cold room at 4–5°C for medium-term storage
• New office and meeting spaces to support research, collaboration and volunteer activities

The Hon Andrew Leigh MP 
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury 

Opinion Piece

The hidden productivity revolution brewing in Australian social enterprises

Published in SmartCompany

5 November 2025

When the morning rush hits a small café in Melbourne’s Collingwood, the smell of coffee hides a quiet revolution. Behind the counter at STREAT are young people who’ve experienced homelessness and other forms of disadvantage, now training in hospitality. Every flat white poured helps someone build skills, confidence and independence.

STREAT is part of a growing movement of social enterprises proving that doing good can also be good business. These are firms that trade for purpose as well as profit, and they’re changing what productivity looks like in Australia.

Across the country, around 12,000 social enterprises employ more than 200,000 people. They operate in construction, recycling, retail, logistics and food. They compete in the market, pay wages, and reinvest their earnings in people and communities.

Good Cycles in Melbourne employs young people who’ve struggled to find steady work, maintaining e-bike fleets for councils and delivery companies. The more contracts they win, the more lives they change. Outlook Australia runs a recycling facility that employs people with disability, combining environmental and social sustainability in one business model. And in regional New South Wales, Chocolate on Purpose blends Indigenous bush foods with handmade chocolate, creating jobs, celebrating culture and showing that ethics and enterprise can thrive together.

What unites these ventures is a belief that inclusion is not a cost but an investment. When someone who has been locked out of the workforce finds a foothold, productivity rises. Skills grow. Confidence returns. Spending power flows into local communities. The economy becomes not just larger but fairer and stronger.