Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

I was making the point that when the government introduced the steel industry transformation plan the other side opposed it. That remains their position. The reality we have to deal with is that we cannot choose the problems. We can, and this parliament can, choose the solutions. Labor's view is that that is what the choice is all about. We have to face up to problems and we have to build new solutions. We are responding on three fronts. Firstly, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the workers and their families who are dealing with this hard news today. We are providing a $10 million support package over two years to help secure their future—both in the Illawarra and in Mornington. This includes access to training, mentoring, job-seeking support services and relocation assistance if opportunities open up in other areas. Secondly, we are working with BlueScope to ensure the long-term viability of Australian steel production. The restructure will reprioritise the company's resources and make it more effective, reducing losses while retaining capabilities and opening up the possibilities for a return to exporting when business conditions improve. As part of this, the government will relieve the short-term pressures by bringing forward $100 million for the payments allocated to BlueScope from the steel transformation package—a package, I remind the Senate, the opposition has not supported. Thirdly, we will be working in partnership with— (Time expired)