QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (15:04): The first step is telling the truth and not playing interference and being a lapdog for British billionaires who've let Australians down, driven our facilities into the ground and caused immense pain and suffering for that community. The problem for Senator Canavan and One Nation is they argue about who's lapdog they want to be.
The PRESIDENT: Minister Ayres, I ask you to direct your comments to me as the chair. And, whilst you didn't name people, it's very clear who you're talking about, so I also ask you to withdraw that comment. Senator AYRES: I withdraw.
I'm angry about this, President, because when— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ayres that's a debating point. Resume your seat. Those on my left once again!
Senator McKenzie and Senator Canavan, I've invited you three times now to leave the chamber. As you've chosen to stay in here, my ruling is that you sit in silence. Minister Ayres.
Senator AYRES: As I was saying, I am angry about this because I'm on the side of Australians who are fighting for the future of manufacturing. I'm on the side of telling the truth, analysing the problem properly— Senator Chisholm: On a point of order, they didn't wait five seconds, President, before they started interjecting again. I'm very interested in this answer and I can barely hear even though I'm right next to the minister.
The PRESIDENT: As I'm sure you're aware, I'm trying my very best—Senator Canavan, I have not come to you. I'm trying my very best to get the chamber to be silent. I think at this moment that's not a battle that I'm winning.
Senator Canavan. Senator Canavan: On a separate point of order, it might help the chamber if the minister's comments are made through the chair, according to the standing orders. That would help.
The PRESIDENT: And it would greatly assist the chamber if you were quiet. I have directed Minister Ayres to address the chair, and I'll remind him again. Senator AYRES: This deliberate approach continues with the approach that One Nation and the Nationals have taken in the Hunter over the future of the Tomago Aluminium facility.
The approach championed by Senator Canavan would lead to the closure tomorrow of the Tomago Aluminium facility. So he's okay with the partisan political campaigns, but he couldn't break a sweat for blue-collar workers. The PRESIDENT: Senator O'Neill, second supplementary?