Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Industry and Innovation, Senator Ayres. Minister, Iluka Resources are planning on suspending operations at their Cataby mineral sands mine and their only operating synthetic rutile processing kiln in Western Australia in less than a month, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. Following this, BHP has scaled back production at its Yandi iron ore mine, and South32 have announced redundancies at their Worsley operation due to increasing cost pressures, putting hundreds more jobs at risk. Across the country, we've seen the deindustrialisation of Australia, thanks to your failed energy and industry policies. How many more jobs will be lost under your watch?

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

I want to point out that a series of those operations clearly fall within my portfolio area as the minister for industry. A series of them, of course, fall under the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Resources, Madeleine King. I'll try and address the overall approach in relation to those questions, but you'll appreciate that, in relation to some of those direct mining ventures, I'll have to come back to you with any additional information that we would be able to provide. I can see material that doesn't quite go to it being provided to me at the moment.

The broad question at the end of your question was about the approach of this government on industrial policy and industrial jobs. You will have seen, over the course of the last six months, our approach to securing the future viability of a series of industrial facilities that employ or cause to employ many thousands of people, including one in your home state of Queensland. The knock-on effects of the closure of that Glencore facility would have been many thousands of jobs.

I am asked about approaches to energy policy, and one of the most important things, of course, in this area is consistency. Senator McDonald, on 28 March 2023, said, 'We supported a measured, cooperative approach to net zero by 2050.' That was your position. I wonder what it is today. (Time expired)

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

Senator McDonald, first supplementary?

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, your government has overseen 8,000 Western Australian jobs lost thanks to the collapse of our nickel industry and another 800 jobs lost at Kwinana before these more recent announcements. Why are so many Western Australian jobs at risk under Labor?

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

I think it could only be the coalition that would blame the Commonwealth government for what is going on in the global nickel market. That is the sort of irresponsible wandering-past-the-problem approach that underscores the delinquency of the period that those opposite were in government. It's hard to find a metaphor that is appropriate. It's not just the teenage arsonist blaming the fire brigade for turning up late; it's the teenage arsonist who's still pouring petrol out and holding a lighter blaming the fire brigade for turning up too late.

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

Senator McDonald, second supplementary?

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We've seen risks of job losses at Tomago, ALUCA, Nyrstar, Glencore and BHP. When will you admit your energy policies are failing Australians and driving up prices and costs, or will taxpayers yet again have to pay for your failures?

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

What is absolutely clear is that Australia is paying the price for a decade of delinquency. There were efforts by the previous government. Mr Taylor said, 'The coalition's policy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 is a responsible and balanced plan.' Senator Kovacic said that, under the previous Liberal government, Australia committed to reaching zero by 2050. Ms Ley said, 'We have a technology agnostic approach to reaching zero by 2050.' It goes on and on. Senator Smith was over there saying the coalition is committed to transitioning to net zero.

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point of order is on relevance. I'm waiting to hear about Australia being able to compete on energy policy.

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

Thank you, Senator McDonald—

Order! Order!

Order! Senator McKenzie, I don't know why you think, after I've said order three times, that somehow you deserve the last word. You don't. Minister Ayres, I'm going to draw you back to the question.

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

We will continue to deliver the modernisation of our electricity system. We will continue to improve the gas market settings in the interests of heavy industry. (Time expired)