Mr MARTIN FERGUSON (Batman—Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism) (14:17): I thank the member for Hindmarsh for his question. As a proud South Australian—unlike the Manager of Opposition Business, the member for Sturt—the last thing he would do is talk down the South Australian economy. Let us be clear— Mr Pyne: Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: as a fifth-generation South Australian, I demand that the minister withdraw that slur on me and my family. The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms AE Burke ): The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. The minister has the call. To assist the chamber, I was going to ask him to withdraw. Mr MARTIN FERGUSON: I withdraw the reflection. Let us be frank, Olympic Dam is not lost to Australia. The decision of BHP Billiton yesterday was a commercial decision. They have clearly indicated that, in terms of the South Australian and Australian governments, they could not have asked for more. Every regulatory approval was in place. This was a potential investment of $30 billion, almost twice the outlays of the South Australian government each year in terms of its budget. BHP Billiton must get this project right. Let us have a frank talk about where Australia is at. In every resources boom there are two opportunities. First, there is the benefit of record commodity prices—and we have had that as a nation. The second and most important opportunity is attracting and implementing a pipeline of investment of $270 billion. The Australian community is proud of that. The only person who was very, very pleased with the Olympic Dam decision not going ahead in the immediate future yesterday was the Leader of the Opposition. Mr Abbott: Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: it is offensive to be accused of taking pleasure in this, and the minister should withdraw. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The minister has the call—and, for the benefit of the House, will withdraw. Mr MARTIN FERGUSON: To assist the House, Madam Deputy Speaker, we will do a few facts. The $270 million is a great achievement. Opposition members interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: He has withdrawn. Mr MARTIN FERGUSON: Yes, I have withdrawn. The facts hurt. Mr Briggs interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The member for Mayo is warned. Mr Abbott: Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: it is offensive to be accused of taking pleasure in what has been a tragedy for the people of South Australia. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The minister has the call. Mr MARTIN FERGUSON: The facts speak for themselves—$270 billion, an ongoing pipeline of investment, creating wealth for Australia and, perhaps more importantly, creating real jobs for Australia. Let us think about these opportunities. Up at Gladstone, in the hinterland, there is a $55 billion investment under construction at the moment—12,000 jobs. We are proud of that achievement. Let us go to Gorgon, on Barrow Island—a $43 billion investment, with 4,000 jobs in construction. Think about the multiplier impact on the rest of the Australian economy—marine services, aviation, legal services, financial services, cleaning and catering. The difference on this occasion is that we have got a pipeline of investment on an ongoing basis. The opposition, when it was last in government, merely spent a free kick from record commodity prices. Two opportunities—commodity prices and a pipeline of investment—and we achieved both. The Australian community is delighted at us spreading the benefits of this boom, not only in terms of what we are doing in infrastructure and skilling but also creating real long-lasting jobs. We are proud of it and it is about time the Leader of the Opposition was honest. He is very, very pleased with the setback with Olympic Dam yesterday. Mr Hockey interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for North Sydney is warned—that was totally inappropriate behaviour.