QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (14:31): I thank the senator for their question. I see we've got 2010 Canavan in the chamber today! Let me quote directly from the Rio Tinto CEO.

He said: "As fossil fuels become increasingly expensive, this investment, combined with the power purchase agreements we have already signed, positions Boyne to be among the world's first aluminium smelters underpinned by solar and wind power. "It also ensures heavy manufacturing like aluminium smelting can continue in Gladstone for the long term and preserves one of the few fully integrated aluminium value chains in the world … If Senator Canavan had his way, and Mr Hastie had his way—and we know Mr Taylor told the facility to go offshore—it would be closed today.

What we are doing is working with industry to deliver good-quality blue-collar manufacturing jobs in regions like Central Queensland— (Time expired)