QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Nationals Whip in the Senate) (17:09): My question is for the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Senator Ayres. As I'm sure he's aware, this week the operators of Tomago Aluminium smelter were told they might be imminently closing as higher power prices destroy the viability of this great facility. On this news, Tomago's operators said: … we have enjoyed the benefit of affordable coal based contracts for the last 40 years of operation, actually, from Tomago's perspective … Minister, cheap coal fired energy has powered this facility for 40 years, and, just four years into this government's renewables obsession, they are looking to shut down.

When will this government admit that its obsession with renewable energy targets over everything else is destroying Australian manufacturing jobs?