QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:05): Do you want us to make sure we put our shoulders to the wheel on Whyalla or not? The reality is they want both, don't they? They want to be critical of taxpayers' funds being used to shore up manufacturing in this country, but they also want to point the finger when it comes to closure of the blast furnace.

The reality is we understand how important Whyalla is to South Australia. As South Australians, we understand it. Minister Ayres understands it.

The Prime Minister understands it. We are committed to working with industry, with the workers and with their union to find a way through this because we recognise the importance of it. I would again note that those opposite can't decide whether they're for jobs or whether they're against funds being used by government to support industry.

They keep criticising the latter but, at the same time, pointing the finger— (Time expired)