Labor leader Peter Malinauskas hits out at Federal Party
The state Labor leader has hit out at his federal colleagues after they voted with the Morrison Government to defeat an SA Senator’s push to keep submarine jobs here.
SA News
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South Australian Labor leader Peter Malinauskas has unleashed on his federal colleagues over their opposition to calls for the Government to continue Collins Class full-cycle docking work in the state.
The Government and Labor unanimously voted down a motion from Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick today, sparking more fears the work will move to WA.
“The Senate should have supported Rex Patrick’s motion,” Mr Malinauskas said.
“I am willing to fight for them (the work) every step of the way, including standing up to Federal Labor on its vote in the Senate position, which I think was incredibly disappointing.
“Standing up to your enemies is one thing, but standing up to your friends is just as important.”
It was in the national interest for the work to remain in SA, he said.
Labor Senator Katy Gallagher said Labor did not support the motion because only the government had access to all the relevant advice to make an informed decision.
“It’s about time that we had a decision from the Federal Government on this,” Senator Gallagher said.
SA senators from the major parties, including cabinet minister Anne Ruston, and Labor heavyweights Penny Wong and Don Farrell, abstained from the vote.
But new Labor Senator Marielle Smith appeared to have missed the memo and joined Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young in voting against the push to keep more than 700 shipbuilding jobs in SA.
“While senators from Western Australia were there to represent their state, both Labor and Liberal senators from SA failed to break party lines and stand up for South Australian submarine maintenance jobs,” Senator Patrick said.
Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam said decision on the future location of full cycle docking would be made by the government following “careful consideration” of information and advice.