Brendan O'Connor Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
2:38 pm
My question is to the Assistant Minister for Employment. I refer to the Prime Minister's promise prior to the election that the government would 'produce one million new jobs in five years'. Minister, if 200,000 car-industry workers are now at risk as a result of the government's cutting half a billion dollars in auto-assistance, how many new jobs will the government commit to by 2016?
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Before I call the honourable the assistant minister, that question did contain argument with regard to speculation on job losses. I would ask him to abstain from answering that part and to answer the rest of the question.
Luke Hartsuyker Cowper, National Party, Assistant Minister for Employment
2:39 pm
I thank the member for his question. It seems the peak of arrogance that the members opposite can stand there and claim to be concerned for auto workers in this country at a time when they tax every unit that comes off the production line. They are only pretending to be concerned for the auto industry. If they were concerned for the auto industry they would get behind the government and help us in our work to axe the carbon tax, to axe the mining tax, to cut red tape and to create opportunities for Australian workers. The opposition is all about pretending; they are not about acting in the best interests for auto workers.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Order! The Hon. member for Grayndler will withdraw that remark, the slur that was made with regard to the assistant minister.—
Opposition members interjecting—
He knows precisely what I mean.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Stanley. Is that the one?
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
I withdraw.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Hinkler will start his question again, and the clock will go back.