Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

Knowing Minister Husic as I do, he's a great one for consultation. I don't think we've ever had a minister, in this space, who consults more and talks with manufacturers about all of the issues that are currently affecting them. I don't want to reveal confidential cabinet discussions, but I think I can say this: there's no finer minister, in this space, who is prepared to go in to bat for manufacturers.

I'm sure that he talks to them about a whole range of issues, including electricity prices. In fact, I'm told that they frequently complain that the previous government completely ignored their issues around rising electricity prices, and it's a breath of fresh air that we have a minister who's prepared to sit down with them, listen to their concerns and take some action. I might say, those stakeholders that you refer to are very supportive of the legislation, and it's a pity that the opposition have decided to deal themselves out of this process.

I have already gone through what I thought was a very good process, last week, in dealing with one piece of legislation that I know you were involved with directly, Senator Hume. Some of your colleagues could take a feather out of your cap and follow the very sensible way in which discussions should take place. We do want the opposition to be involved in these processes. The constant negativity and saying no I don't think does you any good.