Nick Champion (Wakefield, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

South Australia's economy has had a very tough time since the election of this government. We have seen the car industry basically being shipped out; we have seen enormous consternation over submarines, when it was always a given that they should be built in Adelaide; and we now see troubles in steel, in particular with Arrium up in Whyalla.

The South Australian government and the minister responsible, Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis, who is a longstanding friend of mine, have put to the federal government that they should be involved in discussions to save this plant, to make sure that we remain a country that can make steel for vital infrastructure projects. The government's approach to this, of course, has been as confused and contradictory as everything else under the Turnbull government. Say what you like about Mr Abbott; at least we knew where we stood with him. On Friday Mr Pyne told reporters in Adelaide, 'We're not in the business of giving taxpayers' money to businesses that are struggling.' But he then confirmed that they remained in discussions with the state government about the best way to provide help. Labor has a clear policy on this: we believe in steelmaking. We believe that steelmaking is important to South Australia and an important national capacity to have. That is one of the reasons that the Leader of the Opposition wrote to Malcolm Turnbull and suggested a number of things, ensuring—

Government Member:

A government member interjecting—

Nick Champion (Wakefield, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, he is the current Prime Minister—at the moment, I guess.

Bruce Scott (Maranoa, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members should be referred to by their correct titles.

Nick Champion (Wakefield, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition suggested that the government lead by example and procure steel from Australian steel producers; provide financial assistance to the South Australian government to expand and develop the Whyalla port; guarantee that it would not weaken or repeal the Australian Jobs Act; and reinstate the local employment coordinator in that area. These are all worthwhile things to do. We remain committed to steel, as we are committed to the manufacturing of submarines in South Australia and as we remained committed to providing support for the automotive industry. We could have secured investment of a billion dollars from General Motors. That was investment of a billion dollars that we missed out on because the previous Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, basically waved goodbye to it, and that has resulted in a tragedy.

Ms Scott interjecting—

Bruce Scott (Maranoa, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Lindsay will cease interjecting.

Nick Champion (Wakefield, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We want to make sure that the tragedy that occurred in the automotive industry—the same sort of malaise and confusion that occurred over submarines—does not now occur over steel. I call on the government to support the Leader of the Opposition's policies in this regard.