My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The blast furnace at Whyalla has been permanently shut down. Up to 500 workers will lose their jobs. This follows a $500 million commitment from the government's Future Made in Australia's Green Iron Investment Fund, part of a $2.4 billion package announced in February 2025. The Prime Minister said Future Made in Australia would mean, 'We can secure the jobs of workers in energy and mining and manufacturing,' yet under Labor we have seen the closure or bail out of Whyalla, Tomago, Nyrstar, Bell Bay and Nickel West. Is this government able to deliver anything more than a future of destroyed industry and job losses?

I thank the senator for the question. I obviously have a fair bit of personal knowledge about Whyalla. I recall being a young organiser there when in fact it was BHP Long Products Division, which is some years ago—probably showing my age here!

What I would also say is I welcome a question on manufacturing from a South Australian Liberal. We all remember Joe Hockey on the floor of the other place goading the car industry to leave Australia, and they did. We know, and our government will not make the same mistake as a Liberal treasurer standing on the floor of the House goading the car industry to leave.

Gotta get personal.

I'll take the interjection, Senator Cash. What I would say to you is we know who is on the side of blue-collar manufacturing jobs, and it ain't you. It's never been you. We are committed to a Future Made in Australia. That is why Senator Ayres is doing the work he is doing, including in relation to Tomago. I do recall some of those opposite complaining about the bailout of Tomago, complaining about how we were saving jobs. We will work with the unions and the workers at Whyalla because we want a future for Whyalla. We will do so sensibly, and we will do it in consultation with working people, which is not what you have ever done.

Senator Liddle, first supplementary.

Whyalla. Labor found $150 million to send officials to a luxury beachside resort but could only find $10 million to help Whyalla's workers. Minister, is a five-star overseas junket really worth more to this government than food on the table in your home state of South Australia? Whyalla.

I'm not sure what you're referencing. What I would say to you is that we have been very clear about our willingness to put government funds into supporting key industries and key sectors.

I will take your interjection, Senator Cash, because she scoffs at that. I remember the day we announced the Tomago package and what that meant for the jobs in Hunter and the communities in the Hunter. I remember, over here, the complaints about funds being used, about taxpayers' money—

Minister Wong, please—

When you've quite finished, Senator McKenzie. I do hope I'm not going to spend that next hour repeatedly calling your name because you are so disrespectful. Senator Ruston?

Thank you, on a point of relevance. This is a very serious issue to the town of Whyalla—

Senator Ruston, get to your point.

and nowhere else.

I remind the chamber that interjections are disorderly, but the senator is entitled to address them.

The announcement that has been made is deeply disappointing for many workers in Whyalla and their families. I would say that the failure to invest in Whyalla Steelworks by GFG Alliance has had enormous negative consequences for workers, for their families and for the Whyalla community. (Time expired)

I should not have to call senators by their names, Senator Ayres and Senator Paterson! You are being disrespectful to me. Senator Liddle, a second supplementary?

Again on Whyalla, yesterday Minister Ayres admitted he was 'not in a position' to put a dollar figure on how much of that $2.4 billion kept the blast furnace running. Minister, can you tell the Senate what taxpayers actually received for that money?

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)