Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move a motion of censure against the Prime Minister.

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion forthwith:

That the House censures the Prime Minister for:

(1) failing to stand up and fight for Australian jobs at:

(a)Toyota;

(b) Electrolux;

(c) Simplot;

(d) Holden;

(e) Qantas;

(f) Ford;

(g) the Gove alumina refinery;

(h) SPC Ardmona; and

(i) countless other small businesses around Australia;

(2) failing to lead a Government united in supporting and protecting Australian manufacturing jobs;

(3) failing to support the workers, small businesses and communities affected by job losses;

(4) misleading the Australian people by blaming employees and their conditions for job losses; and

(5) having no plan for Australian jobs.

Today we have heard from the Minister for Industry, who I accept would appear to be periodically be on the side of the angels when it comes to standing up for Australian workers. He said that this is not a catastrophe. He said it is a challenge. Indeed, at the end of last year after parliament, the Prime Minister put his verbal arms around and used his rhetorical skills of comfort and empathy to the Holden workers, when he said, 'Good luck, Holden workers, you have been liberated.' Why didn't we think of that? I am sure they would like to liberate you from your job too. But the real issue here is that we see a government—

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