SENATOR PENNY WONG, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE: Thanks very much for coming. It's great to be here today with Julie, who is here to talk about jobs and Local Government cuts, and also with Nick Champion, who is head of our South Australian Taskforce and has been doing so much good work when it comes to South Australian jobs.
I want to talk about a couple of things today. The first thing I want to talk about is jobs in steel. We know, here in South Australia, how tough it is for the workers and families and the whole community at Whyalla with the challenges facing Arrium and the challenges they are facing in terms of their ongoing employment. This is not a new problem. Bill Shorten wrote, last year, to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to say, look, the steel industry across the country is under pressure. We need to work together to get a bipartisan approach, to have a national steel plan, because these are important jobs because, first and foremost, we have to look after jobs across the country but obviously from a South Australian perspective, particularly here in South Australia.
Unfortunately, we have seen a lot of talk but not much action at all from the Turnbull Government. Christopher Pyne appears to talk a lot but he doesn't appear to be able to influence Mr Turnbull or his other colleagues when it comes to South Australian jobs. In fact, anybody who saw Mr Ciobo on the 7:30 Report last night would see he doesn't appear to think steel jobs in South Australia are a priority. But that is not Labors position, those jobs are a priority. And today Bill Shorten has announced our plan for the steel industry, which focuses around ensuring Australian standards for publicly funded infrastructure projects, which focuses on ensuring we maximise the local content of projects here in Australia, that we beef up Australian participation plans, which is all about trying to increase the use of Australian steel in our domestic market.
Steel is facing real challenges at the moment. It is disappointing that Mr Turnbull has declined to raise the issue of imports when he is in China. Even the Government have acknowledged that Australian steel faces real challenges from lower price imports being brought into the economy. That's why Christopher Pyne has commissioned an anti-dumping inquiry. It's very disappointing that Mr Turnbull - given his Government knows this is a problem - it's very disappointing that Mr Turnbull isn't raising the issue of steel jobs when he's in China. Happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: So Senator, what exactly is your policy? What is the new policy? That could save the steel industry.
WONG: This is all about trying to improve domestic demand for Australian steel and we have thought very carefully about building on some of the work we did in Government, restoring some of the things that the Government has cut but also working with the sector. Now, there is a six point plan that Im happy to read out.
The first is, as I said, to ensure Australian standard steel is used in Federal Government funded infrastructure. As I said, to maximise the use of domestically produced steel here in Australia and to increase, a number of propositions to increase Australian industry participation plans. Now what that is all about is making sure that when you have big projects you get, instead of the drivers of those projects using global supply chains, we want to get local producers to get the opportunity to get those contracts. Thats what this is all about.
JOURNALIST: Is there a minimum percentage figure they will need to use?
WONG: We have said maximise locally produced steel-
JOURNALIST: -But youre not setting a figure?
WONG: Well, we obviously want to try to maximise it. Different projects will have different specifications and not all steel that is used in every project is produced in Australia. But we want to try and work with industry to get more local content, more local suppliers, to get the opportunity to participate in these projects.
JOURNALIST: Do you fear you have missed the boat though? Arrium is hanging by a thread. It may not even be around in six months.
WONG: Look, it is disappointing that our offer to work in a bipartisan way on this to Mr Turnbull last year was not taken up. We stand ready to continue to take that bipartisan approach and to work with Federal Government and State Government to try and ensure we dont lose those jobs here in South Australia. I have to say though, this Government from the day they have been elected, whether its Joe Hockey goading Holdens to leave on the floor of the Parliament, or the walking away from the from the promise to build submarines, which they are now desperately trying to pretend didnt happen, this is not a Liberal Government that has put south Australian jobs first.
Now, I just want to make this point, theyve got unemployment figures out today. When we left office, in September 2013, South Australia had a five in front of it, now it has a seven in front of it. And what I would say to you is: it is very clear which party values South Australian jobs.
JOURNALIST: Do you agree with your South Australian colleague Tom Koustantonis that the banks got what they wanted by forcing Arrium into administration?
WONG: Look, Tom has worked, to his credit he has really rolled his sleeves up and worked very closely with the company and the financial institutions to try and find a way through. Ah, he is much more across the detail of those arrangements. He is obviously in day-to-day contact. What I would say is, were really pleased the South Australian government to have taken such a hands-on role and like them we are prepared to take a bipartisan approach to these talks.
JOURNALIST: Whats your view on the new administration?
WONG: It was disappointing that there was that conflict but I hope that what we see is Arrium being able to trade out of its problems because what everybody wants is jobs in Whyalla in South Australia.
JOURNALIST: But Senator how much money is in the six-point-plan? Christopher Pyne has criticised it saying there is no money and that Labor hasnt put a dollar figure on it. Are you going to give it any money?
WONG: Well we have actually costed it and its in the policy. And, it is interesting that Christopher Pyne should be out here criticising. What has Christopher Pyne done to support South Australian jobs?
JOURNALIST: The fact that twenty-six jobs went yesterday at ASC and they are skilled trades and they may not come back, does that just amplify the need, or hasten the need, to make a decision on submarines?
WONG: Well not only on submarines but on the Offshore Patrol Vessels. I mean we all have to remember this: what we want here in South Australia is a continuous build. If we dont get a continuous build if we dont get what Tony Abbott promised, which is the off-shore patrol vessels starting here in South Australia, ASC will have to lay-off about one thousand workers. Thats the evidence they gave me in the Senate Estimates Committee. This is about South Australian jobs. Christopher Pyne and his colleagues should ensure that we get a continuous build here in South Australia and that the jobs in ship building are protected. Anything less will be a breach of another Liberal promise.
JOURNALIST: So Christopher Pyne says that this policy of yours is nothing more than motherhood statements, more bores, more bureaucracy, that Bill Shorten still wants to introduce the Carbon Tax. Do you have a response to that?
WONG: Christopher Pyne is very good at telling people whats wrong with the other side. Hes been very bad at delivering South Australian jobs.
JOURNALIST: But is there too much bureaucracy in what youre, red tape and-
WONG: -If youre going to try and resolve the problems and the challenges that the steel industry faces you have to lift domestic demand. We are trying to put forward a policy which would give more local suppliers the chance to get a contract for the projects that are funded. Unlike the Government we think governments can work with industry to ensure that we have a strong steel industry. Its a pity Mr Turnbull doesnt appear to believe so.
JOURNALIST: How do you enforce something like that though? Do you just tell the builders we want you to use local steel, go and use it?
WONG: What were doing is requiring industry participation plans. Which requires the drivers of projects to ensure they demonstrate to the market the opportunities for local suppliers. So, you know, obviously, people have got to, we want to get the opportunity for local suppliers to be involved in these projects.
JOURNALIST: In terms of jobs the Government says that its looking after jobs by, well saving jobs, by getting rid of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal. Do you agree with that?
WONG: Well look, obviously Mr OConnor is the relevant shadow on this but I would make this point: the correlation between the rates paid to drivers and road safety has been demonstrated and I think that makes sense to people. We know, if people are being paid very low rates to make ends meet theyre going to have to cut corners. And, cutting corners when it comes to long distance truck driving is dangerous. So were willing to find a way through. Its really disappointing that Mr Turnbull is being partisan about this because we are talking about safety on our roads.
JOURNALIST: That tribunal was set up by Bill Shorten.
WONG: Yes and it is a Labor approach to say we want safer roads. Absolutely, we make no apology for that.
JOURNALIST: Even at the cost, the potential cost of jobs?
WONG: We think that making sure that proper rates are paid is good for safety and good for jobs. Are we really saying that we want a system that cuts corners? Now, we are open, as Bill said previously, to a discussion about finding a way through how this is implemented but thats not what the Government is doing. The Government is trying to create a sense of crisis around this.
But while we are on the subject of Federal Parliament, I do want to make a comment also about the ABCC bills, the double dissolution trigger bills, that Mr Turnbull has trumpeted so much about. I want to make very clear what Labor has decided: we will deal with these bills. We will not delay; we will deal with these bills. And, if Mr Turnbull wants a double dissolution election we are ready for an election and this election will be about jobs and it will be about health and education.
Anything further? I will hand over to Julie.
JULIE COLLINS, SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Thanks Penny. It's great to be in Adelaide today with Penny Wong and with Nick Champion. This afternoon, Nick Champion and I will be talking to local government in South Australia. Local government who are angry about the cuts of the Turnbull and Abbott Governments to local government.
Local government in South Australia has seen cuts that has meant jobs right across local councils, and contracts from local councils for particularly road funding. Local councils here in South Australia have had a cut of around $50 million. Nationwide it's around $1 billion that's been cut from councils right across the country. And South Australia of course, has also had an additional cut of additional road funding.
Labor from opposition has managed to get the government to put some more money back into Roads to Recovery as part of our agreement to the fuel excise, which has meant a $90 million in additional funding for South Australian councils. But there is no doubt the South Australian councils have been doing it tough because of the cut to financial assistance grant from the Abbott and Turnbull Government and there is no doubt that this has hindered them in helping their local community transition, with the economy transition that's happening in South Australia. And there is no doubt that it's costing local jobs in local communities right across South Australia.
NICK CHAMPION, SHADOW PARL SEC FOR MANUFACTURING: Look, just one thing I will say, yesterday, we saw cuts at ASC, and I know one of the electricians who got made redundant. And when you see the human cost of this government's inaction on automotive, on shipbuilding, on steel, on council, on health and education, it's clear that the Liberal Party only has negativity to offer South Australians.
And one of the things we want to do is to put forward a positive agenda for South Australians - a more positive way and a more positive approach for the future. It's critical that this election is about education. It's critical it's about health. But the most important issue for South Australians is undoubtedly jobs. And it's about time that we get a government that backs in blue-collar communities and blue-collar workers.
JOURNALIST: Nick, there's been a lot of owner operator truck drivers in your electorate. Have they spoken to you? Have they expressed concerns about the Road Safety Tribunal making that minimum wage ruling?
CHAMPION: The point I will make is - I am yet to meet anybody who would want fatigued drivers on the road. I drive a lot on the highways myself up and down the Sturt Highway and Port Wakefield Road. The last thing you want next to you is a guy driving a 49 tonne truck who is fatigued, who is underpaid, who is under pressure, who is trying to meet a timeline that is impossible. That's the last thing you want.
And I have met truck drivers who've claimed they can drive 49 hour straight. Now - and I am not kidding you, that's what they've claimed to me - now that is clearly out of order. What we want is for those drivers to be paid appropriately. There won't be any less trucks on the road. There won't be any less freight on the road. I can guarantee you that. Australia will still have to move all that freight, and we'll need owner drivers to do it.
And for the last 30 years, the exact same system has been in place in NSW. And I can tell you, there are owner drivers over there. There is company drivers over there. And they are roughly the small proportion.
JOURNALIST: Nick, quickly just on the point there. The electrician that was made redundant yesterday. What's he going to do now?
CHAMPION: Well you have all met him, it's Andy, who's been in a number of the rallies, and no doubt been interviewed many of the times by journalists. And I guess like everybody, he is dealing with the shock of being made redundant. You always know, I think most workers know that this is a threat in a modern economy. But when it happens to someone that you know or when it happens to you I think it's pretty devastating. And I think people do take their time to adjust.
And so one of the things we want is to make sure there is hope there for those workers, and to make sure there is industry and work there. This government could do it tomorrow by guaranteeing that the subs are built in South Australia, by guaranteeing that the offshore patrol vessels are built in South Australia. Because it's about real people and about real jobs, and the government has to focus on that, rather than issuing broadsides to the Labor Party on Twitter, or being critical, maybe what they should do is actually enact a bit of policy that can help these people.
JOURNALIST: Is Andy considering going interstate to get employed?
CHAMPION: Well I only get his Facebook updates, and we arranged to have coffee. So I am not sure what his future plans are, but he seems pretty settled in South Australia and I think he wants to stay here. And I guess the best thing that could happen for him is that ASC get some stability and certainty about their future and that can only come with a commitment on subs and a commitment on offshore patrol vessels. And you'll most likely to get that out of a Labor Government.
WONG: Can I just make a comment about the offshore patrol vessels? Tony Abbott came to town and he sad very clearly to all of you and to your colleagues that the Offshore Patrol Vessels will be started in South Australia. Since that time Christopher Pyne has walked away from it. If the Government walks away from that decision we will see more job losses up to one thousand jobs lost at ASC - ahead of the submarines decision and so we need the Government, the Liberals have to honour their promise on submarines and honour their promise on Offshore Patrol Vessels.