Arrium

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:38): My question is to the Minister for Regional Development. What has the minister personally done in the last week—in fact, in the last year—to secure the future of Arrium for the people of Whyalla? Has the minister been to Whyalla since Arrium has gone into administration?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is on two warnings.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:39): I have to say that is a disappointing question, because there has been a level of bipartisanship across the country, from the Prime Minister to the Treasurer of New South Wales to the Treasurer of Queensland, all the state Premiers across the country, the Minister for Industry (Hon. Chris Pyne)—and all of us have been working together to try to get the right outcome for the people of Whyalla.

There is no greater advocate in the cabinet for regional communities than the member for Frome. He does a lot of work behind the scenes. He was in constant contact with me; he was in constant contact with the government. I have to say—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hartley is warned for the second and final time.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —given the opposition are asking such a partisan question, trying to in some way point out, trying to say through their questions—

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order: the minister is debating the substance of the question.

The SPEAKER: I will listen carefully to what the minister is saying. He is being taunted.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: In those taunts I notice, sir, that the member for Stuart hasn't written to me about Arrium; I notice that the Leader of the Opposition hasn't written—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Why would you write to the Treasurer about a co-investment with Arrium? Fancy that, Mr Speaker: the Leader of the Opposition, the campaign genius, says, 'Why would you write to the Treasurer of the state about a co-investment with Arrium?' Why would you? Have you written to the commonwealth government?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: It seems to me that the government is working cooperatively with the commonwealth government to come up with a bipartisan plan, and integral to the government's negotiations is the member for Frome. He brings a perspective to these arguments without partisanship, without the politics, without trying to do a gotcha moment, without trying to score any personal political points. He has selflessly worked for the people of regional South Australia. He spends more time in the regions than any other member on the opposition front bench. He is out there constantly arguing for them, arguing for them passionately in the cabinet room, and I have to say that I am encouraged by his level of involvement in this argument. He is constantly advocating on behalf of his community.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: He is a chatterbox. It is so easy to try to score cheap political points, but thus far we have seen no alternative plan for a restructured Arrium from the opposition. We have seen no alternative plans put out there for debate and discussion. We haven't seen—

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: This is the part they don't like.

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta.

Mr GARDNER: The Treasurer is debating, contrary to standing order No. 98.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is also subjected to a barrage of interjections, so if both sides wish to disarm I am happy to superintend that. Treasurer.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: A détente, sir, yes. This is bigger than politics, this is bigger than partisanship, this is bigger than winning votes. This is about the future of our state and our national sovereignty. This is about steelmaking. No-one knows more than regional members the importance of a diversified regional economy. It can't all just be agriculture. There need to be other forms of industries in our regional centres to keep our young people in the regions.

We have seen that reinvestment in Port Pirie, championed by the member for Frome, and we are seeing that again in Whyalla. This is such a large national issue that the Prime Minister saw fit to call the chairmen of the Australian banks about the potential of Arrium going into administration. This is bigger than trying to score a petty political point by a losing opposition.

The SPEAKER: That was debate, and I warn the Treasurer. The member for Wright.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Thank you, sir. Sir, there must be something wrong with the microphone; the member for Chaffey can't hear me. Maybe I'll just look directly at him—

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is called to order and I call the member for Elder.