QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator STERLE (Western Australia) (14:22): My serious question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources, Senator Ayres. On 20 October in Washington, DC, the Prime Minister and the President of the United States signed the critical minerals framework to deliver a secure supply chain for critical minerals and rare earths. The US and Australia also announced a combined $2 billion investment over the next six months in priority projects in Australia and the US.

Why are secure supply chains for critical minerals important for Australia and our allies, and what are some of these priority projects from which we will benefit?