Whyalla Economy

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:29): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, representing the Minister for Energy and Mining in the other place, yet another question about the economic crisis looming in Whyalla.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: I have only this morning received further information about more job cuts in Whyalla, this time involving staff employed by Golding contractors, which I believe has the labour hire contract at the SIMEC Mining operations just outside of Whyalla. As many of us know, SIMEC is owned by Sanjeev Gupta's GFG Alliance, the same owners of the Whyalla Steelworks. I am told 106 workers were told yesterday they would lose their jobs in mid-to-late October, adding to the 48 workers stood down at the steelworks recently.

According to my sources, about 78 jobs will be cut from the production side of the mine, while the remainder will be maintenance jobs. This is the third disturbing question this week I have asked the government in this chamber about the economic crisis looming in Whyalla and the government silence has been deafening. While I won't repeat again the other economic woes plaguing the Iron Triangle town, I will say I am so deeply disturbed by them that I will be attending a forum in Whyalla on Sunday organised by local residents and businesses to hear firsthand accounts of what's unravelling in their town, and I extend an invite to the Premier and the Minister for Energy and Mining to join me. My questions to the minister are:

1. What, if any, meaningful discussions, meetings and/or funding commitments is the government considering to address the looming economic crisis facing Whyalla?

2. Why won't the Premier or the minister comment publicly on the issue?

3. How does the minister address accusations from Whyalla residents that the government doesn't care about them or their futures purely because it's a safe Labor seat held by a union stalwart who has been similarly mute?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:31): I certainly don't accept some of the characterisation in those questions. The member for Giles has been anything but mute, as described by the honourable member. However, I am happy to take the substantive questions, refer them to the relevant minister in the other place and bring back a response.