Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (11:48): I sense that love is in the air today.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Oatley to order for the first time. That was a shocker.
Mr MARK COURE: Could I have John Paul Young's autograph later? My question is directed to the Minister for Industry and Trade. This week the Modern Manufacturing Commissioner concludes her role as a result of his Government's budget cuts. One of her key tasks was the delivery of the modern manufacturing strategy. Will the Minister's Government deliver a modern manufacturing strategy and, if so, when?
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (11:48): I am certainly feeling the love today. I thank the shadow innovation Minister, who would I say is really the shadow assisting the shadow, shadow for the Hon. Jacqui Munro because he has been so innovative that he has delegated all the work to her. I have never seen innovation like that at all.
[Government members interjected.]
Outsourcing, offshoring and innovation at the same time. That is innovation-plus. Good on the member for Oatley. The question was about manufacturing. This Government is serious about manufacturing. We have elevated the position to Cabinet level.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for North Shore to order for the third time.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: That is a strong voice in the Cabinet room for all the workers, for all industries and for all the companies in the decision-making. On top of that, we understand that manufacturing and the role that procurement plays is so important, ensuring that the public purse is used for the public good—delivering jobs and giving opportunities for businesses to increase their access to government contracts. Recently we increased the threshold from $150,000 to $250,000 to ensure that small businesses across New South Wales have access to government contracts so that they can actually grow their business.
Mr Mark Coure: Point of order: My point of order is taken under Standing Order 129, relevance. The question was whether the Government will deliver a modern manufacturing strategy, and if so, when we will see it.
The SPEAKER: I thank the member for Oatley. I uphold the point of order.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: Our modern manufacturing strategy is to elevate this important topic at the Cabinet table. She is already in the Cabinet! We hit our manufacturing strategy by having a voice in Cabinet. Via a media release, we let the public know and we let the world know what our strategy about modern manufacturing actually is: a strong voice for industry, a strong voice for employees and a strong voice for regional communities to ensure that they have better access to government contracts, and to ensure that their important voices are actually heard so that they can have great economic prosperity in New South Wales.
Mr Mark Coure: We are still waiting for the Minister's answer. I ask for an extension of time for two minutes.
The SPEAKER: No, I will not grant an extension of time. I remind the member for Oatley that that is not the appropriate way to approach the lectern to take a point of order or to seek the attention of the Speaker. The member will rise in his place and seek the call. The member for Oatley will resume his seat. The Minister will also resume his seat.
