QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Mr CONROY (Shortland—Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Minister for Defence Industry) (14:13): I thank the member for Paterson for her question— Mr Caldwell interjecting — The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Fadden will leave the chamber under 94(a). The member for Fadden then left the chamber .

The SPEAKER: Interjecting like that before the minister has even said something is completely disrespectful and disorderly. For goodness sake! After I just told the chamber to lift standards, to have that carry-on—everyone, do better today.

The minister has the call. Mr CONROY: I thank the member for Paterson for her question and her powerful advocacy for her community. This morning, Rio Tinto announced that it has decided to enter consultation on potential closure of Tomago Aluminium in 2028.

This is very tough news for my community, the Hunter, especially for the thousands of workers and their families. Let me be crystal clear. This consultation is a commercial decision taken by the business, and the government stands firmly with workers and the Hunter community.

We're absolutely determined to explore every opportunity to secure new power-purchasing agreements for the facility because it's the right thing to do for these workers, it's the right thing to do for the Hunter and it's the right thing to do for Australia. The Hunter has been very good to Rio for decades, and it's time for Rio to do the right thing by the Hunter.

We've made it very clear to Rio Tinto and the New South Wales government that we're here to support the facility if we have constructive partners. We continue to be in discussions with Rio and the state government on options for Tomago. Nothing is off the table.

Let me repeat that: nothing is off the table. Australia is one of the few countries with a complete aluminium supply chain, and we're strengthening and growing every stage: fixing mining approvals while protecting the environment; securing affordable gas for aluminium refineries through the gas market review; and backing our smelters with the green aluminium production credit.

This record $2 billion investment in the Australian made aluminium industry is about supporting our industry to navigate the worldwide shift to new forms of electricity. We're working with state governments, industry, unions and affected communities nationwide to secure the sector's long-term future. We're doing this because it's in the national interest.

And, before we see people trying to reheat the tired old climate wars, Rio has been very clear: energy supply offers based on coal power are too expensive. We're standing with the Hunter to support our industrial future. We've already committed $850 million for a missile factory, an Australian first; $432 million for a major renewable hydrogen project; $100 million to make the Port of Newcastle hydrogen ready; and $60 million for a manufacturing centre of excellence.

But the truth is that a decade of energy policy failures by those opposite left the facility and energy policy in limbo, and we're facing the consequences now. The Australian government will always stand up for Australian workers and businesses, and we call on Rio to continue to work with us on every option to support the community that supported them for decades.

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