Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Senator Ayres. As I'm sure he's aware, this week the operators of Tomago Aluminium smelter were told they might be imminently closing as higher power prices destroy the viability of this great facility. On this news, Tomago's operators said:

… we have enjoyed the benefit of affordable coal based contracts for the last 40 years of operation, actually, from Tomago's perspective …

Minister, cheap coal fired energy has powered this facility for forty years, and, just four years into this government's renewables obsession, they are looking to shut down. When will this government admit that its obsession with renewable energy targets over everything else is destroying Australian manufacturing jobs?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan has indeed mischaracterised what the owners of that facility said. They said this week that they were unable to secure power contracts—coal, renewable or otherwise. I know that you will continue to do that. How much can a koala bear, Senator Canavan? This government will keep working on this issue, as you would expect that we would.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan, first supplementary?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the thermal coal that Tomago relied upon to power its smelter is the best and cleanest coal in the world—in the Hunter Valley. Near Tomago is Newcastle. It's the world's the biggest coal port, from which we send that coal to the world, including to China who produces 60 per cent of the world's aluminium. Minister, why is it okay for us to send Australian coal to China to create aluminium jobs there but not okay for us to use Australian coal here to create Australian jobs in our country?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Because we're for blue-collar jobs and for maintaining the cheapest possible electricity in Australia—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and your plan would mean fewer jobs and would smash blue-collar industry in this country.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I remind those senators on my left that, since question 11, I have asked for silence. That is what will happen in this chamber. Minister Ayres, please continue. You've finished. Senator Canavan, second supplementary?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Earlier this year you, along with the Prime Minister, travelled to Tomago and told the workers there that we're switching to reliable energy electricity from Gladstone to Portland and Bell Bay to Tomago. Minister, the Bell Bay smelter risks closure, Tomago is knocking on death's door, and the Portland and Boyne Island smelters are battling against skyrocketing power costs too. The government's reckless renewable energy plan has failed; it's sending manufacturing jobs offshore. When will you change course and protect Australian jobs?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We'll always protect Australian jobs. We've demonstrated over the course of just the last few months how hard we'll work on behalf of jobs, including in Queensland, including at the Boyne Island smelter—which is out there now underwriting wind contracts and solar contracts. It's being supported by the LNP Queensland government too.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cox?

Dorinda Cox (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to ask a question on behalf of my constituents from the state of Western Australia regarding environmental law reform.

Leave not granted.