Aurizon Rail Services

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:08): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier provide an update on the rail services that transport iron ore from GFG Alliance's mining operations at the Middleback Ranges to the Whyalla Steelworks and to the town's port for export? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: In October, the ABC reported that the rail freight operator Aurizon has suspended some of their rail services provided to GFG.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:09): I think it's no surprise that for a number of major operators with GFG—given the blast furnace is not fully operational yet, although the latest advice we have is that billet will begin to be poured next week—because the blast furnace is not operating, work is down.

So, yes, whether it's Aurizon or Golding or any other contractor that is doing major parts of works that are linked to the operation of the blast furnace that have issues with payments, these are questions for GFG, not the South Australian government. The South Australian government is committed to the operations at Whyalla, committed to the Middleback Ranges, committed to making sure that steelmaking continues in this state.

We are the government that's investing in hydrogen in the Upper Spencer Gulf, we are the government that are investing in GFG, we are the government that put $50 million up to reinvest into the steelworks, we are the government that got Arrium out of administration, and no level of screaming and interjection or complaints or whining or whingeing will change any of that. It is this government that stands by steelmaking in the Upper Spencer Gulf, it is this government that stands by the people of Whyalla—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey! The member for Flinders!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —it is this government that supports the mining operations of the Middleback Ranges and wants to see green iron develop, not members opposite who have derided every single opportunity for us to try to decarbonise steelmaking or reinvest in Whyalla. When the Leader of the Opposition can't even name the operations manager he is talking about, it speaks volumes about what their commitment is.

No matter what members opposite say, we are committed to Whyalla. If they listen to our public remarks about Whyalla they would know that. Instead, what they are attempting to do is to politicise a town that is doing it tough. Real people—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: A business? No, Whyalla is a city, and Whyalla is linked to the rest of the country. Whyalla is one of the most important cities anywhere in Australia. Why? It is our last structural manufacturer of steel in this country. If we want to make rail line in this country, Whyalla is critical.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Flinders, you are on your final warning.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The people of Whyalla deserve more than being treated like a business. Whyalla is more than a business; it is the arteries of the Australian economy. Without rail line, we can't move freight, we can't move logistics, we can't move commodities across our country. Whyalla is critical, and I won't have members opposite just screaming platitudes into the parliament without an alternative point of view. The truth is this—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey and the member for Morphett will come to order. You are on your final warnings.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —Whyalla is critical to this country's future prosperity. This government and every person on this side of the parliament and the crossbench stands with the people of Whyalla and we will do everything we can to maintain their prosperity.