Ms GILLARD (Lalor—Prime Minister) (14:00): To the Leader of the Opposition's question, I am of course always concerned when I hear news of job losses. For the individual workers involved and for their families this is a very difficult time and I certainly feel for them and we will be working to support them. But I also think it is very important that in this place and beyond this place— Mr Baldwin interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Paterson! Ms GILLARD: we are clear as to what the reasons are and what the pressures are on the aluminium industry. I am very conscious of those pressures on the industry that are happening here in Australia and overseas. The reality is that the continuing fallout from the global financial crisis, along with increased global capacity, is putting downward pressure on world aluminium prices. Aluminium prices peaked at $3,300 per tonne but are now approximately $2,000 per tonne—that is US dollars—representing a fall of 40 per cent. This depression in global aluminium prices has resulted in numerous closures around the world of older, less competitive smelters. Hydro Aluminium has consistently identified the strong Australian dollar, low metal prices and current international— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Prime Minister will resume her seat. The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order? Mr Abbott: I asked the Prime Minister about the impact of the carbon tax on this closure and whether she would apologise. She should be directly relevant. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The Leader of the House on a point of order? Mr Albanese: Yes, Madam Deputy Speaker. That is not an opportunity for the Leader of the Opposition to spout rhetoric at the dispatch box. If he has a point of order on relevance, he simply has to say that. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Prime Minister is answering the question. The Prime Minister has the call. Ms GILLARD: I took the question seriously and presumed that the Leader of the Opposition was actually concerned about these job losses. Obviously these workers are just political fodder to him; the same way that the steelworkers he stood alongside have just been props, because he has not been prepared to support their jobs. I am identifying the factors that Hydro Aluminium has pointed to as relating to the news today about these jobs: the strong Australian dollar, low metal prices and current international economic conditions. Minister Combet has spoken directly to the company today, and they are very clear that their current financial pressures have nothing to do with the carbon price. So the Leader of the Opposition should not come into this place and mislead. He should not do that. Mr Baldwin interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Paterson will resume his seat. A point of order on the question has already been taken. The Prime Minister has the call. Ms GILLARD: I would point out to the Leader of the Opposition—and this might be a fact that he is interested in— Mr Baldwin interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Paterson is warned! Ms GILLARD: that the key uncertainty facing this company currently is the refusal of the New South Wales government to reach agreement over a long-term electricity supply contract. So, if the Leader of the Opposition is really concerned about these jobs as opposed to his mock political concern, then he may consider getting on the phone and speaking to his Liberal counterpart Premier O'Farrell about that matter. Beyond that, he should not come into this parliament and mislead this place or these workers about the reasons for these job losses. Mr Pyne: The Prime Minister should withdraw that charge. If she wishes to do so, she could move it by substantive motion. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat! The member for Robertson has the call.