Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Science, Minister Farrell. The Whyalla Steelworks is one of two steelworks left in Australia, which makes the troubles it's facing as part of the GFG Alliance not just local but national. Both the South Australian and federal governments have uttered possibilities for supporting an electric arc furnace upgrade for the facility so it can be a modern, green steel manufacturing facility. But progress seems to be obstructed by the financial woes of the steelworks' owner, Mr Gupta. What are the government's plans to move the steelworks and the town beyond the unfulfilled promises of Mr Gupta and the groundhog day they are trapped in?

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

Thank you, Senator Lambie, for that question about the great town of Whyalla.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Not wiped out!

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

No, it never got wiped out. You might be interested, Senator Lambie, to know that parts of my family moved from Laura, in the Mid North, to Whyalla in the 1960s. I regularly go back to the town to meet my cousins who still live up there. In fact, I was driving back from my vineyard just outside of Auburn in South Australia—

Opposition senators interjecting—

Listen to this! And what did I see? I saw a massive billboard of Senator Lambie with Senator Rex Patrick! Can I say this, Senator Lambie—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McGrath?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order on relevance: I'm reluctant to interrupt the minister's reminiscences of his recent holiday, but I don't think the minister's being close to relevant in answering Senator Lambie's question.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator McGrath. I will draw the minister back to the question.

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

Can I say this, Senator Lambie: the state government—and it's a terrific state government in South Australia—and the federal government will do a damn sight more than any other group in this parliament to ensure—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Lambie, a point of order?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm sorry, Madam President, but I don't need a Little Golden Book here. What I want to know is: what does the government plan to do to move the steelworks and town beyond the unfulfilled promises? What do you have up your sleeve to help them?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Lambie. You referenced the state and federal governments, which the minister was referring to. I have directed him back to the question, but he was being relevant to your question. I'll continue to listen.

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

The state government and the federal government will work together to ensure that those fine workers, those members of the Australian Workers Union who work in the steel mill up there, continue to provide Australia with the best quality steel in this country, and we'll continue to support this town and these workers. I'd hate to think, Senator Lambie, that you— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Lambie, first supplementary?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's great to see they're all about the green energy over here! On 25 September, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas told parliament:

We have the magnetite, we have the renewable energy, we have a steelworks and we have a port. If we bring those things together, we can produce green iron—

which apparently you guys want to do. So it seems what's missing is the will. Minister, are the Commonwealth and South Australian governments working together to retain this sovereign capability?

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

I thank Senator Lambie for her first supplementary question. Just from the statement that you read out from that very fine Premier, Premier Malinauskas, I would have thought it was transparent—

Opposition Senator:

An opposition senator interjecting—

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

They're already attacking me for my reminiscences. I won't answer that.

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President—

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

Already?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Lambie?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We're now halfway through, and all I want to know is: are the Commonwealth and South Australian governments working together to retain sovereign capability?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Lambie, stop. When you stand, you need to tell me why you're standing. I presume you're on a point of order. I'll remind the minister of your question.

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

We have a deep interest as a federal government, and, as you've just read out, the state Labor government has a deep interest, in ensuring that these fantastic workers who go in there every day to that steel mill—I'm not sure if you've been up there to have a look at it, Senator Lambie, but it's a beautiful thing. It's a beautiful thing to see that steel being pumped out of that steel mill. You can rest assured that this— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Lambie, second supplementary?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government has sent billions of dollars overseas to assist foreign shipbuilding capabilities. What about local industry? Will the government guarantee the people of Whyalla that, no matter what happens, the steelworks are part of Australia's manufacturing future and that it will be transformed into the modern green-steel manufacturing facility required for our industrial future?

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

I thank Senator Lambie for her second supplementary question. I'd hate to think, Senator Lambie, that you'd be seeking to exploit the problems of the Gupta company in Whyalla for some political advantage either for your new party running in South Australia or for Mr Rex Patrick. But can I reiterate that this federal government, alongside that terrific state government led by Premier Malinauskas, can do two things. We can ensure that steel continues to be made in Australia, and we can build ships in Osborne in South Australia with technology and with agreements with the United States and the United Kingdom. We can both defend this country— (Time expired)