Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am a bit nervous. I may need protection because my question is to the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Senator Cash! Can the minister confirm that today the Full Court of the Federal Court has ruled that the minister's determination on work rights in the off-shore oil and gas industry is invalid, finding the minister's actions were 'not authorised', 'invalid' and 'sought to reverse the parliament's intentions'.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I can confirm that today the full bench of the Federal Court did uphold the MUA's appeal. We are currently considering the decision.

Senator Sterle, if you want to come in here and be proud of your side's efforts to close down the offshore oil and gas industry then, quite frankly, you should hang your head in shame, because those of us on this side of the chamber will take every step that we can to ensure that one of the most productive industries—not just in this country, but globally—is able to do business.

Look at the offshore oil and gas industry. This accounts, in terms of the Australian economy—Senator Sterle, let me give you a lesson, which your mates in the MUA clearly have not given you—for 2½ per cent of gross domestic product, generating $28 billion a year in revenue. On this side we want to ensure that they are able to continue to generate those levels of money and, if possible, to increase. The sector, Senator Sterle—through you, Mr President—employs 2,500 people, and it is estimated that the number of flow-on jobs is at least 10,000.

What those on the other side just do not understand is that if you take steps to destroy this industry your people will lose their jobs. I am actually taking steps to try and protect the jobs of those in the MUA. Everything you are doing, Senator Sterle, is completely contrary to that, and you should hang your head in shame.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a supplementary question. I proudly ask the minister, will the minister take responsibility for her unlawful actions and outline to the Senate the consequences for workers in the offshore oil and gas sector?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I am just wondering whether that is completely in order, Senator Sterle, when you refer to the minister's 'unlawful actions'.

Senator Wong interjecting—

If you just bear with me, Senator Wong, I am going to invite the minister, if she wishes, to answer the question. Senator Wong, do you still wish to raise a point of order?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point is, perhaps, to assist. The quotes were 'invalid', 'not authorised' and 'sought to reverse the parliament's intention'. If you rule that we should repeat those rather than 'unlawful', so be it.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was the inference about the minister that I was concerned with.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The actions are invalid; that is unlawful, with respect.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just feel as though that has reflected on the minister, but I will allow the minister to answer the question if the minister wishes to.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In relation to the decision of the Federal Court, as I have said I am aware of it. We are currently considering the decision.

In relation, though, to the broader issue of the offshore oil and gas industry, as I have stated and as I will continue to state, and as one of the former respected ministers in your government, Martin Ferguson, would adhere to—he would agree, given his current position—we should be taking steps to ensure the success and the viability of the offshore oil and gas industry. So, Senator Sterle, seriously, if you do not want to listen to me—and it is fine if you do not—why don't you pick up the phone and speak to the former minister for resources, Martin Ferguson? He will give you a lesson in what your mates in the MUA are trying to do to this industry. And I can tell you: it is not good for the workers.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question, and I am proud to say that the MUA are my mates. Will the minister now stop thumbing her nose at the parliament and work with industry stakeholders—including the MUA—to fix the mess you have created, Minister?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You really do not want to get someone on this side started on messes that have been created, because we would be here all afternoon telling those on the other side about the messes that your created and that we are currently cleaning up. Senator Sterle, you asked me a question in relation to the immigration portfolio. Believe you me, you do not want to get me started.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pause the clock!

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order on direct relevance to the question. Could you redirect the minister's attention to the question.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, I do point you to the question that was asked. You have 35 seconds in which to answer the question.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

All I can say is that we on this side of the chamber will take the steps necessary to ensure that one of the most profitable industries in this country is able to continue to operate in this country. If those on the other side want to stick up for their union mates, that is their decision. But I can tell you that sticking up for your union mates will actually endanger jobs within the sector.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, despite the next question being to me, I do ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.