Raised on his family’s beef cattle farm on the north coast of New South Wales, Senator Ayres completed high school in Glen Innes before studying industrial relations at the University of Sydney.
His upbringing and education shaped a deep commitment to regional Australia and emphasised the importance of empowering regional communities with future-focused industries.
Before entering Parliament, Senator Ayres held several senior elected positions in the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, where he championed the rights of workers across key sectors including manufacturing, defence, food processing, aviation and metals.
Elected as a Senator for New South Wales in 2019, Senator Ayres held the roles of Assistant Minister for Trade, Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia.
Senator Ayres has consistently advocated for strong, sovereign manufacturing capability and secure, well-paid jobs.
In 2025, Senator Ayres was named as the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science in the Albanese Labor Government.
Through his ministerial portfolio, Senator Ayres will continue to collaborate with industry, workers, and communities to harness the transformative power of new technologies and drive investment in science, innovation, and advanced manufacturing.
Senator Ayres is focused on seizing emerging opportunities to ensure the jobs and industries of the future are created and sustained right here in Australia, as part of the Future Made in Australia agenda.
