Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Foreign Minister. Early today, the minister said that the capping of iron ore production was 'an idea worth considering'. Hours later, does the minister still hold this view?

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At a doorstop interview this morning, I was asked about a comment that Andrew Forrest had allegedly made about iron ore prices. I said I was not an expert in the area. I said that the—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

There will be silence—

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sorry, I did not realise the shadow minister was now an expert on commodity prices—is she?

Honourable members interjecting—

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

There will be silence on my left and right. The minister has the call.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We certainly know she is not an expert on Africa. Africa is not a country, Shadow Minister. You have said it so many times now and—

Mr Butler interjecting—

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

The member for Port Adelaide will desist. The minister has the call.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will just remind her again that Africa is a continent. I was asked about the comments and I made the quite obvious observation that the commodity price decrease is having an impact on our economy, that iron ore prices infiltrate our entire economy. but any ideas to assist would be worth considering. I do not know the detail of Andrew Forrest's proposal, but I have since been discussing the matter with the Treasurer, and the Treasurer says the specifics of Mr Forrest's proposal would not be acceptable. Of course I support the Treasurer on that basis.