QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (14:57): I think we have provided some additional information, and that was required. Partly, I have to say, my thinking about this was to stop your friends over here saying that there were 10,007 facilities—the usual sort of hyperbole that characterises the negativity on these issues.

I can take you through it. We spent some time yesterday on these questions. I notice that there are no more questions about Tomago, because the politics for this lot have moved on; it stopped being a useful political thing.

We'll keep doing the work on these facilities. We'll leave the bumper stickers and the politics to you. We are working our way through a range of large industrial facilities around the country, and in practical terms— Senator Ruston interjecting— Senator AYRES: I'll take the interjection, Senator Ruston.

In your home state of South Australia, we have secured the future of the Port Pirie lead smelter, owned by Nyrstar, which is owned by Trafigura, with a very significant investment. That lead smelter will, as a result of our support— Senator Ruston interjecting— Senator AYRES: As a result of your support? You wouldn't have done anything.

As a result of the package that we have delivered we'll, in addition, be producing critical minerals for our partners in the United States and anybody else amongst our partners who wants to purchase it. This is a significant investment, alongside the steelmaking facilities in Whyalla and alongside future AUKUS submarine production, in the industrial capability of South Australia.

It's about securing the facilities that are under pressure now and making sure that we invest in the jobs of the future. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Duniam, first supplementary?