Australian Submarine Corporation

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (15:07): I seek leave to provide a brief explanation before asking questions of the Attorney-General about ASC workers.

Leave granted.

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO: On 5 September, The Advertiser reported that ASC workers were protesting out the front of Parliament House, demanding an 18.5 per cent pay rise to match their WA counterparts. My questions to the Attorney are:

1. Has the Attorney met with ASC?

2. Has the Attorney met with or been approached by union leaders of the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, the Australian Workers' Union, or the Communications, Electrical, Energy and Plumbing Union regarding this action?

3. Can the Attorney provide an update on the industrial action taken by the workers at ASC recently and any potential impact on shipbuilding here in South Australia?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:08): I don't recall having been approached in relation to this issue and I guess there is one pretty good reason for that: it is a federal matter. It is a company that operates in the private sector. It is entirely regulated by federal law and by the federal Fair Work Commission.

It is not a matter that the state has jurisdiction over, which I suspect is a reason I don't recall having any approaches about this whatsoever, as I have said in answer to questions that are almost identical. I am assuming people get told what sort of questions to ask but they don't talk to each other about exactly how they ask the questions, so I do have some sympathy for those more junior in the ranks of the opposition who come later in the day and end up accidentally repeating questions that have been asked before.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I don't think it is fair on them that they get treated like this; however, that is a matter entirely for the opposition.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!