In December, this newspaper ran the front page headline “Where’s Pyney?”
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More than four months since Industry Minister Christopher Pyne appeared on that digitally-altered cover (pictured), the question remains – where is he?
The Illawarra and its steelworkers are well aware Mr Pyne and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull are yet to visit our region.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten visited the Port Kembla steelworks this week. So where is Mr Pyne?
The Mercury used the Labor leader’s visit to ask the industry minister’s office – on two separate occasions – if the government would provide specific help for BlueScope, why he hasn’t visited the Illawarra and if a visit was planned in the near future.
The first response on Thursday? Well, there wasn’t a direct one.
Instead, Mr Pyne’s office provided some background stating the minister had met with representatives of BlueScope, including employees and union delegates, and other industry stakeholders.
Also mentioned was the Illawarra steel roundtable (which was held in the Sydney CBD, not the Illawarra) he hosted in October. The second response on Friday reiterated those comments, adding the government had been “acting decisively in pulling the policy levers to support our steel industry”.
Yes Mr Pyne, we are aware of all that. We’re aware of the work that’s been happening in the background – like anti-dumping reforms and the $80 million lifeline given to South Australian steelmaker Arrium through a no-bid contract to upgrade more than 1200km of rail line.
What direct support has been offered to Port Kembla? What about building the Maldon-Dombarton freight rail link?
We also know about the $670,000 adjustment package, which includes an employment coordinator, that’s helping redundant workers. What about measures to ensure a viable industry going forward, so no steelworkers find themselves needing that kind of help in the future?
A visit to show you care would go a long way. An election is looming and there’s no doubt the lingering steel crisis facing the Illawarra will be front and centre in the minds of the region’s voters.
So, why not come say g’day? Please bring some support for the Illawarra’s steelmaker with you and show us you care.
If you don’t, it’s possible voters will exercise little care when they put the pencil to their ballot paper as early as July 2.