QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:39): First, we are determined to ensure there remains a future for Whyalla. Senator Ayres was trying to explain to me which parts are still operating. Despite the blast furnace not operating, I understand that production continues in some parts of the enterprise, which goes to your point.

Senator Canavan—and on this we do agree—steelmaking is a national— Senator McKenzie: You need a furnace to make steel. That's like year 10 chemistry. Senator WONG: Senator McKenzie, I'm trying to answer your colleague's question.

Senator McKenzie: No, you're not. Senator WONG: Alright. Fine.

What I was trying to say to Senator Canavan is that I do agree with him. We do agree with you that steelmaking is a critical national capability, and the Prime Minister has been very clear about that, which is why we have been so focused on ensuring we do all we can, put our shoulder to the wheel, to enable that capability to stay in Australia, just as we worked so hard at Tomago to ensure that that aluminium capacity also stayed in Australia.

If I may say so— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Canavan, second supplementary.