George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

The contempt with which Senator Conroy regards the workers of South Australia is manifest for all to see in the chamber today. Why do you so despise the workers of South Australia that you deride a decision which is what people in Adelaide, people in South Australia, have been waiting to hear for a very long time, when on your watch naval shipbuilding in Australia fell into a 'valley of death'?

Senator Ruston, I cannot do better in responding to your question than to quote the words of the Premier of South Australia, Mr Jay Weatherill, who, in response to the announcement, said that this 'creates the continuity and jobs that workers here in this state and around the nation want.' We have avoided the 'valley of death' left to us by the Australian Labor Party, with the announcement that was made by the Prime Minister last Tuesday. (Time expired)