QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:00): I thank the senator for the question. I obviously have a fair bit of personal knowledge about Whyalla. I recall being a young organiser there when in fact it was BHP Long Products Division, which is some years ago—probably showing my age here!

What I would also say is I welcome a question on manufacturing from a South Australian Liberal. We all remember Joe Hockey on the floor of the other place goading the car industry to leave Australia, and they did. We know, and our government will not make the same mistake as a Liberal treasurer standing on the floor of the House goading the car industry to leave.

Senator Cash: Gotta get personal. Senator WONG: I'll take the interjection, Senator Cash. What I would say to you is we know who is on the side of blue-collar manufacturing jobs, and it ain't you.

It's never been you. We are committed to a Future Made in Australia. That is why Senator Ayres is doing the work he is doing, including in relation to Tomago.

I do recall some of those opposite complaining about the bailout of Tomago, complaining about how we were saving jobs. We will work with the unions and the workers at Whyalla because we want a future for Whyalla. We will do so sensibly, and we will do it in consultation with working people, which is not what you have ever done.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Liddle, first supplementary.