Claims an MP was gagged and accusations that “tricky tactics” were used to stall debate have marred discussion about the Illawarra steel industry’s future in the NSW Parliament.
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The Steel Industry Protection Bill returned to the Legislative Assembly on Thursday – for what was expected to be the final day of debate, and a vote.
What should have been a straightforward process turned ugly when the Illawarra’s parliamentary secretary, Gareth Ward, asked for more time to have his say.
The Liberal MP was given 10 minutes to speak, the same length of time given to other MPs, but sought an extension at 11.52am.
Mr Ward was the last member to speak during Thursday’s debate and the region’s Labor MPs claimed his extension move was a stalling tactic to avoid a vote.
The reason? The next sitting of NSW Parliament is March 30 and the proposed legislation expires next Thursday.
Under the Legislative Assembly’s standing orders, a vote was required on Thursday to prevent the bill from lapsing. It will now have to be reintroduced at a later date.
In an attempt to ward off the stalling tactics, Labor asked “the question be now put” – a closure motion, also known as “the gag”.
After that was voted down, the Leader of the House, Liberal Anthony Roberts, moved to alter standing orders to allow Mr Ward to have an additional 30 minutes to “conclude his debate”.
The move sparked uproar from Labor MPs Paul Scully (Wollongong) and Ryan Park (Keira).
“That was a tactic aimed at getting you from 11.58am through to 12.06pm; because as soon as it got to 12.06pm it [the bill] lapsed,” Mr Scully told the Mercury.
“This was the use of tricky tactics in the Parliament, aimed at avoiding a vote on the bill.”
Mr Ward accused the Opposition of gagging him.
“They attempted to gag me and not let me outline my plan as to how we’re going to support steel jobs,” he told the Mercury after the fracas.
“The floor of the parliament is the place where I should be able to stand up and make those statements.”
HOW IT UNFOLDED
- 11am: Debate begins; speakers given 10 minutes each to address bill; Gareth Ward final is the speaker.
- 11.52am: Mr Ward asks for an extension of time.
- 11.53am: Cabramatta MP Nick Lalich (Labor) moves “question be now put”; division called, defeated.
- 12.01pm: Leader of the House Anthony Roberts moves to give Mr Ward an extra 30 minutes to end debate; a division is called and voted up.
- 12.07pm: Gareth Ward continues debate, Ryan Park attempts to move “motion now be put”.
- 12.09pm: Mr Ward speaks until debate interrupted about 30 seconds later.
Government steel procurement talks heading to Wollongong
The NSW government will hold a steel procurement forum in Wollongong later this month and campaigners hope it’s not “another talkfest”.
Parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward revealed details of the discussions – to be led by the state’s Finance and Services Minister, Victor Dominello – in Parliament on Thursday.
The announcement came during what was heated debate over the Labor-Greens Steel Industry Protection Bill (SIPB) in the Legislative Assembly.
The SIPB wasn’t voted on and will lapse before the next sitting of Parliament, meaning it will have to be reintroduced at a later date.
Speaking about the forum, to be held at the University of Wollongong on March 20, Mr Ward said it would “bring together the key players that can deliver real change”.
“This forum … will be responsible for government procurement results and key industry stakeholders including BlueScope Steel, fabricators and unions will be invited to attend,” he said.
Mr Ward indicated the group would review existing procurement rules and procedures.
“This steel procurement forum is but one of many ways the NSW government is committed to a sustainable and meaningful dialogue with those at the veritable coalface,” he said.
Staunch steel campaigner, and South Coast Labour Council secretary, Arthur Rorris would be invited, Mr Ward told the Parliament.
“Whilst I may not always agree with Arthur, he is a constructive and sensible contributor,” he said.
Mr Rorris said campaigners were “not interested in another talkfest”.
“If what he [Mr Ward] is proposing is a forum where he can table the government’s position and something better than the steel protection bill, well we’re all ears,” he said.