Question Time

Whyalla Steelworks

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:09): My question is to the Premier. Has the Premier asked the Prime Minister to come to Whyalla to visit the steelworks and, if so, what did he say?

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:09): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question because it is on an important subject. Yes, I have spoken to the Prime Minister; in fact, I have spoken to the Prime Minister quite frequently about this issue. I haven't spoken to him in the last 48 hours, but I have indeed been in touch with his staff and I know the minister has been as well.

The Prime Minister, I am very grateful, is fully engaged on the challenges that we have in Whyalla. I think the Prime Minister is well briefed through his own channels within the federal bureaucracy around the importance of steel production for our country coming out of the Whyalla Steelworks. I have to say I have been very grateful for the Prime Minister's personal interest in this subject but also, more broadly, the federal government's interest in this subject across a range of portfolios with this area of policy and the steelworks cuts across a range of portfolios in terms of the deliberations and the discussions that we are having with the commonwealth.

I think top line, though, what is most important here regarding the federal government's perspective—and I hope this is something that enjoys bipartisan support, which I anticipate it would, and I clearly can't speak for the opposition or anyone else, and I wouldn't pretend to do that for the federal opposition either—is that there is an acknowledgement across the nation that steel production is absolutely essential.

We know that the Prime Minister is committed to a Future Made in Australia policy. There is no Future Made in Australia without steel being made in Australia. I think that is top of mind for the Prime Minister and his broader industrial agenda.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: The Leader of the Opposition asks why isn't he in Whyalla? Well, that's because he is in Canberra at Parliament House where parliament is sitting, so that's why he is not there. I am very grateful for the engagement and I anticipate that it will be ongoing.