COMMITTEES

Senator CANAVAN (Queensland) (16:24): I, and also on behalf of Senator McDonald, move: That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting day in 2025: The current health and future of the Australian metals manufacturing industry including the alumina, aluminium, lead, zinc, copper and nickel industries, with reference to: (a) the impact of increasing energy costs, technological change, industrial relation regimes, workforce challenges and the broader regulatory environment; (b) distortions in global supply chains that impact the viability of Australian metals manufacturing; (c) the cost of metals manufacturing businesses meeting climate change targets; (d) the viability of government interventions to sustain Australian metals manufacturing; (e) the potential for energy investments to help reduce costs for Australian metals manufacturing; (f) the viability of further public-private partnerships; (g) the impact on regions, our national security and economy if metals manufacturing declines in Australia; and (h) any other related matter.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: The question is that business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 in the names of Senators Canavan and McDonald be agreed to.