QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (14:02): Well, that is an extraordinary question that just shows, I think the total lack of self-reflection and insight that there is amongst the Liberals and Nationals and their friends in One Nation. The parties that in government closed four out of six of our refineries now have wandered through and discovered the forest of sovereign capability and are discovering these new trees just for the first time.

The point that I made in week 1 and week 2 of this was that there are some people in Australian politics who see a national challenge and see only a partisan opportunity for themselves. That is what they see, and the thing is that they do it over and over and over again. Every time they see a challenge, no matter what it is, it is the same behaviour that is exhibited.

It is hyperventilating, hyperpartisan behaviour from those opposite, and it always ends in the same result. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Ayres, please resume your seat. There needs to be order.

Minister Ayres, please continue. Senator AYRES: It always ends in the same result: getting smaller and smaller and smaller. That is what happens.

As for this government, what have we done? We have implemented minimum stockholding obligations that are the strongest in 15 years. We have empowered the ACCC to have stronger penalties on price gouging.

We have appointed a coordinator-general, undertaking practical action— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash, first supplementary?