QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (14:21): Rather than, as Senator Wong has indicated, building the case for excuses and a political rationale for blocking this reform, you should probably just apologise to working Australians if you're going to let them down. You should probably apologise to people who work hard every day in manufacturing firms who need competitive gas— Senator Shoebridge: Tell that to Whyalla.

Senator AYRES: and who need a future for their industries, because we've all got a responsibility here. We've got a responsibility here as a parliament and as a government. Senator Shoebridge interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge, I called you and I've asked you to come to order.

I expect you to respect that. Senator AYRES: This is a landmark Labor reform that puts a heavy obligation on gas producers in the Australian national interest, and we will bring it to the parliament. We will bring it to the parliament.

Senator Shoebridge interjecting— Senator AYRES: Senator Shoebridge interjects, and we'll have a little bit more to say about that in a moment. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Minister. The time for answering has— Senator Shoebridge interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Have you quite finished, Senator Shoebridge?

Come to order! Senator Shoebridge, either come to order or leave the chamber. Senator Waters, second supplementary?