Manufacturing Industry

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:42): I firmly believe in a nation that makes things and, with other social and economic problems that recent hard times have shown us, I believe that we all should. I believe in making what we need and making it here. We should make it well and we should make it available to Australians first. The fact is, therefore, we should also be looking at made in South Australia and Australia differently after the COVID pandemic. We need to put more weight on the social and economic benefits of rewarding locally made.

Realising all of a sudden that we really do need manufacturing here, even if it is just to make products to protect ourselves, should not be a realisation we need to come to twice. Locally, the recent successes of companies such as Detmold and Kyron, in stepping up to the plate to provide vital PPE and goods to our nation and our state, should not be forgotten come the end of the pandemic. The speed with which companies in our state can step up into needed markets in a crisis makes it plain. The fact is we have always had the workers. We have always had the skills. All we actually need is a government that is willing to back them in to make it here.

This week marks the unhappy anniversary of one of the largest administrations not only in our state but in the history of our nation. This week, in 2016, we saw Arrium and its almost 7,000 employees of the time placed into administration. Without attempting to relive what was a life-changing experience for all who were involved in the saga, it is worth reflecting on exactly what we saw unfold in the weeks and months that followed this week in 2016.

What we saw was the saving of a strategically significant industry to this nation. Local steel is the backbone of new rail. Local steel is the backbone of road and construction projects. The ability to make our own steel is critical to projects in defence. More than this, what we saw was the extraordinary resilience that exists not only in the workers but also in their families, in their friends and in the communities that surround them.

The enormous pressure that was on regional South Australia, and specifically in Whyalla, left many workers not only wondering if they did not have a job, but if they did not have a house, if they did not have a community and if they had nowhere to go if it in fact all fell over. The role that the Australian Workers' Union played not only in the workplace but also in the community was vital in achieving the outcome that was ultimately achieved.

The traditional role of the union, which often ended at the factory door, no longer applied. The AWU formed a critical role in not only supporting the workers' rights but also their concerns for their community, their homes and their livelihoods. In this regard, I want to single out AWU organiser (and my mate) Scott Martin for a particular mention. For the years leading up to and during the administration, he was a lion for the community in which he lived and worked. He was a testament to the modern-day financial and community value of membership of a trade union. It is something that many, including myself, will never forget.

The role that the Labor Party played also—specifically the then Weatherill government—was key in securing an eventual buyer of the plant and supporting the retention of the existing workforce. It was not really about securing $50 million in support; it was their 'Whatever it takes' bipartisan approach, taken at a time to save the company, the jobs and the community, that should never be forgotten by anyone.

During these uncertain times, now more than ever, your fellow South Australians also need your help to roll up your sleeve and donate blood. Our need for blood donations is not reduced during this crisis, but practically the number of donors able to make it to donation centres has. The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has made it clear, the Department for Health has made it clear, and those who need donations have made it clear: donating blood is an essential service. Restrictions on travel do not prevent anyone from donating blood if they are healthy and well.

During the recent bushfire crisis, thousands of South Australians made the decision to donate blood for the very first time, knowing that the donation of blood was far more valuable than the donation of money. During these hard economic times of the pandemic, it would be fantastic to see many more making the choice to give a pint of the thing most valuable to them. In a world of social distancing, it has never made more sense. Donating blood may indeed save the life of someone you will never meet.