Illawarra MPs have been warned to steel themselves for potential political backlash, should they stand in the way of soon-to-be-introduced procurement legislation.
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Greens NSW MP John Kaye last week released a draft of his party’s Steel Industry Protection Bill 2015, to be tabled in State Parliament when it resumes in late February.
The legislation would ensure, as far as practicable, all steel used in government-funded infrastructure projects is made in Australia.
A busload of steelworkers and union officials will head to Macquarie Street when the bill is tabled.
The region’s parliamentarians have been told to back it or be “named and shamed”.
Steel campaigner, and Australian Workers’ Union Port Kembla branch secretary, Wayne Phillips used Thursday’s discussion draft launch outside the Port Kembla steelworks to issue the ultimatum.
“I really do thank John Kaye and the Greens for having the balls to stand up and start the debate and get some legislation put into parliament,” Mr Phillips said.
“I wouldn’t have been standing here 12 months, [or] two years, ago saying that the Greens are going to lead the way to keep our steel industry, protect our steel industry, I would have thought it was the other way around.”
Mr Phillips said the approach taken by the Greens had shifted procurement pressure onto the major parties at state and federal level.
“It’s certainly my intention to take a busload of steelworkers up to Parliament when this legislation is tabled and we will publicly name and shame any person, any politician, no matter what party, who does not support it,” he said.
“I’ll make it clear that for the small contribution my branch makes to Labor, they won’t be getting a cent out of us unless they support this legislation.”
The union official did single out Shellharbour MP Anna Watson for her push for at least 90 per cent Australian-made steel to be used in government infrastructure projects.
“I think Anna’s been outstanding, but she’s a lone wolf at the moment and needs to be supported by others – no more muckin’ around,” he said.
In the Protection Bill, excluded steel is defined as any product not made in Australia or any item made in Australia that is required to be constructed using “a special kind of steel” not manufactured here.
