Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Innovation. How is the Albanese Labor government working with the South Australian government to back steelworkers in Whyalla? Why is this important for our sovereign manufacturing capability?

Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member, a proud South Australian, for his question. The Albanese Labor government's No. 1 focus is delivering cost-of-living relief while building a future made in Australia. This will increase our independence and sovereignty and create Aussie jobs. It was at the heart of the progressive patriotism agenda the Prime Minister took to the people in 2022 and 2025.

Making steel in this country is central to that. It's been just over a year since we joined the Malinauskas government to intervene and save the Whyalla steelworks—a year since we made that critical decision to protect Aussie jobs and strengthen our sovereign manufacturing capability. Our intervention has ensured that the steelworks is not only continuing to operate but has a bright future. Jobs have been protected and created, with performance restored. The steelworks has been having a record-breaking performance across steel, rail and finished goods. Output is at multiyear highs, and while those opposite wrote off Whyalla time and time again we joined with the community to fight for its future, saving thousands of jobs.

Building sovereign manufacturing capability builds resilience throughout the economy. For example, 52 tonnes of steel used in the construction of the Port Wakefield missile factory came from the Whyalla Steelworks—Aussie-made steel leading to Aussie-made missiles. And Phosphate Hill, Australia's only producer of ammonium phosphate fertilisers, announced earlier this month that it had found a buyer. This was only possible because of the government's intervention to save the Mount Isa copper smelter. Let's be clear: without critical inputs from the copper smelter, we would not have the fertiliser factory. Steelmaking, copper smelting and fertiliser production are all critical manufacturing capabilities essential to our sovereignty and were all opposed by the Liberals.

The current Middle East conflict reminds us that we need to have an economy that is resilient and sovereign. We need an economy that makes more things here. So, when those opposite attack a future made in Australia, they weaken our sovereignty and our resilience. We also need an economy where we train and skill up Australians for jobs that will build our sovereign capability. A year ago, there were seven apprentices at the Whyalla Steelworks. Today, there are more than 70. Now we're in a position where we've got five serious bidders looking at purchasing the steelworks. That's great news for workers, great news for Whyalla and great news for Australia.