QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (14:23): This reform is about making sure that we can deliver affordable gas. Now, I spent a long time before I came into this parliament as a trade union official in heavy industry and the manufacturing sector, and I watched facilities after facility close because Australian prices rose over that period.

Senator Shoebridge interjecting— Senator AYRES: And if poor old Senator Shoebridge was remotely interested in the future of Australian industry, he should be going there. He should try talking to the people who run these firms or represent workers in these firms. The PRESIDENT: Minister Ayres— Senator McAllister: I remember what you said about the people of Queensland.

The PRESIDENT: Senator McAllister—order on my left! Senator AYRES: This is overwhelmingly in the national interest. It means that we will deliver a future made in Australia based on a competitive energy price.

(Time expired)