QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (14:17): Senator Canavan, you moved off the situation at Tomago pretty quickly, because the facts at that facility don't support your argument. I would have thought that he would give it a few minutes for workers to adjust to this. But he's like a koala returning to his favourite tree.

Senator Canavan interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Canavan, you don't need to call out. I did notice you are standing, and I will come to you. Senator Canavan: It's a point of order on relevance.

Both questions have been about: if renewable energy is cheaper, why the cost of energy is going up. The minister is not going anywhere near dealing with that question. That's the crucial question.

Senator McKenzie: It's happening everywhere. Jobs are being lost everywhere and you're playing politics. The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, come to order!

I will draw the minister back to the first supplementary. Senator AYRES: On that part of the question you referred to, Rio and the owners have been very clear in their public statements that there is neither the coal-fired nor renewable electricity that they are seeking in the market at the moment. That has been their statement.

There is a competition for green energy in the future from these companies. That is what is— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Canavan, a second supplementary?