Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Colbeck for his question. Again I do not accept the premise of the question where he makes a link to the carbon price. When you look at the circumstances of the closure of any meatworks, the first thing I can say is that I always feel for the workers who have been involved and have lost their jobs as a consequence.

Senator Brandis interjecting—

That is a very unhelpful interjection, frankly. One of the issues always is that there is a range of complex circumstances that usually lead to the closure, and in this instance I had an opportunity of reading the press release put out by JBS Swift and that did go to a range of complex circumstances which they were faced with. My recollection is that the press release did not mention the carbon price. Those opposite have sought to misinform the Senate. What it demonstrates is a range of complex circumstances, including an increase in the Australian dollar and a range of other matters which have led to the closure. For any government, whether the Tasmanian government or the federal government, there is a range of available assistance for those employees who have lost their employment.

I turn back to the issue of the carbon price. Those opposite continue to blame the carbon price for everything they possibly can. They said the sky would fall in. Well, the sky has not fallen in. They said it would be a python squeeze. (Time expired)