Whyalla Steelworks

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:11): My questions are to the Minister for Industrial Relations regarding Whyalla:

1. As Minister for Industrial Relations, has he been briefed on the possibility or likelihood of job losses that would be expected as a result of ongoing issues at Whyalla Steelworks?

2. What plans does the government have in place to support Whyalla Steelworks if job losses eventuate?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for her question. As I have outlined, there are support packages announced, I think, combined between the state and federal government in the order of $2 billion of support for Whyalla. This is a massive and, as we see it, necessary intervention to make sure the steelworks has the best possible chance of continuing into the future, and that goes directly to making sure that there are those ongoing jobs in Whyalla as there have been for decades in the past—and, as we seek, and our ambition is, for decades in the future.

As Minister for Industrial Relations, my jurisdiction doesn't extend to private sector employment but certainly the express intention of the action that the government has taken, and the funding that the government has provided, is to make sure that the steelworks continue into the future and give it the best possible chance of attracting a new owner and making sure as best we can that there are those ongoing jobs for the City of Whyalla as there have been for decades in the past.