QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Leader of the Nationals) (14:36): I'm not going to cop lectures from the other side. Last time I went to Whyalla, we signed a deal for the steelworks to supply both steel and rail lines for the Adani Carmichael coal mine, which were delivered. They actually got delivered and helped save jobs for a change.

Government senators interjecting— Senator CANAVAN: Oh, they don't like that. Senator Wong: On a point of order—I was actually also going to do it for Senator Shoebridge, who's now left the chamber, but I try to be ecumenical about the points of orders that I make where I can. Some people laughed!

Standing order 73 is very clear about the rules relating to questions, and neither the comments by Senator Shoebridge nor the comments by Senator Canavan are compliant with standing order 73. Senator CANAVAN: On the point of order, there are also points of order on relevance here, Madam President. My questions went to statements from the Prime Minister.

Instead, this minister won't even be honest with the people of Whyalla, and she tries to deflect onto another person from another country. How about being accountable to the workers in Whyalla or your own— The PRESIDENT: Senator Canavan, take your seat! Minister Wong quoted standing order 73.

Senator Canavan, I'm going to ask you to restate the question in the terms outlined in standing order 73. Senator CANAVAN: It's a very simple question. Will the government's plans now mean that Australia will not be able to make structural steel, which holds up buildings, rail lines and bridges, from scratch?

As well as being the world's largest exporter of coking coal and iron ore, will we still be able to make structural steel from scratch?