Pat Conroy (Charlton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's claim that 'Whyalla will be wiped off the map' as a result of the carbon price. Can the Prime Minister advise us of a date when reconstruction of Whyalla will begin?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is a very curious question and it almost evokes the opposition bursting into song, which we did hear on a previous occasion. I do not think we need that again. If the Prime Minister wishes to answer the question he may, although it is a curious one.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I simply point out to the member for Charlton that, under the modelling the former government produced for its carbon-tax-cum-emissions-trading-scheme, our iron and steel production was forecast to reduce by 20 per cent.

Pat Conroy (Charlton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order on relevance. To be relevant, the Prime Minister needs to mention that wiped-out Whyalla butchers are now selling legs of lamb—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will resume his seat and put down his prop. If the Prime Minister wishes to continue to answer the question, he may.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I simply remind the member that the modelling the former government produced for its carbon-tax-cum-emissions-trading scheme showed that it would reduce Australia's iron and steel production by some 20 per cent and reduce Australia's aluminium production by some 60 per cent. Cities like Whyalla, dependent upon these industries, were in big trouble—but now they are not, because the carbon tax is gone. I am looking forward to visiting the people of Whyalla and reassuring them that at last they have a government that is on their side.