Stephen Jones (Throsby, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The people of the Illawarra are frustrated with the smug indifference of the coalition government. This frustration was reflected on the front page of the Illawarra Mercury today.

Craig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member knows he should not use props.

Stephen Jones (Throsby, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You will see, Deputy Speaker, that there is only one 'Wally' in this photo. On 26 October this year, over 20 people travelled from Wollongong to Sydney to talk to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Christopher Pyne, about the state of crisis in the Australian steel industry. Many were very curious about why we were making the trip from Wollongong to Sydney, but we played along with it because the issue was too important to quibble over. We now know why the meeting was held in Sydney—because he has not got a clue where the Illawarra is! I brought along a map today to help the minister find out where the Illawarra is.

Craig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member will put the prop down.

Stephen Jones (Throsby, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In his travels, he might like to come to Wollongong to do something for the state of the industry in the Illawarra.

I have some facts for the minister. The Illawarra is home to the biggest steel producer in Australia, and we are very proud of it. It is home to a fantastic university, which this minister cut millions of dollars out of in his last round of budget cuts. It is a place full of honest, hardworking people who just want a fair go from this government. On behalf of the thousands of people who are today looking for a job in the Illawarra, we are calling on this minister to do his job.

Craig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The dress of the member for Berowra has been drawn to my attention. I note page 158 of House of Representatives Practice, which states in reference to a 1977 ruling:

… it was acceptable for Members to wear tailored 'safari' suits without a tie.