Guy Barnett (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Before asking the question, I likewise concur and associate myself with the statements made by Senator Evans and other senators in the chamber. My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. How many jobs have been lost in the Australian textile, clothing and footwear sector since the election of the Rudd Labor government? I ask that question in the context of being fully aware of the minister’s previous response to the question from Senator Ryan, noting his reference to the ABS statistics and noting in particular that his leader and the Labor Party prior to the election used the words ‘no more blame game’. I alert the minister to that comment ‘no more blame game’ and ask him to take that into account when he answers this question. I ask him to specifically refer to the number of jobs lost in the Australian textile, clothing and footwear sector since the Rudd Labor government was elected.