QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Nationals Whip in the Senate) (14:50): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Senator Wong, your government is imposing a carbon tax on Australian fuel refineries under its so-called Safeguard Mechanism. That impost amounts to over $1 million for each refinery today.

To get to net zero, those refineries are potentially facing a bill of up to $1 billion. Minister, at a time of unprecedented global instability, why is this government making it more expensive and more precarious to refine fuel on Australian soil?