Christopher Back (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I will speak very briefly, if I may, in support of Senator Cormann and my other colleagues. This is a producer that is receiving no support akin to that given to other coal producers on the eastern seaboard. It is important that the minister understand. I have represented this case very actively to our colleague Mr Macfarlane, who I understand has also raised this with the minister. This particular company produces 15 per cent of the electricity of southern Western Australia. While it is true to say that that is not in jeopardy immediately, it has missed out completely under the scheme, and the security of that supply of electricity in the shorter term is at risk. I ask: Minister, will you go back and reconsider the representations that have been put to you through our colleague in your negotiations? As I say again, this is a company and a product that has not received the protection given to others in the coal industry. Southern Western Australia’s electricity supply is of critical importance. It is not part of a national grid and, of course, the supply of coal—