Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (14:00): I do remember, Senator Paterson, your colleague Senator Canavan on these questions at the end of the dull, dark period of inaction that characterised the Morrison period of government, saying that electricity prices had gone up by 91 per cent when you lot were in charge of the electricity system. After Mr Taylor and Mr Morrison legislated net zero targets, after Mr Morrison went to the COP in Glasgow and then wandered around and did a big holiday on taxpayers' expense—wandering around, doing a family history tour of southern England— The PRESIDENT: Minister Ayres, thank you. Resume your seat. Senator Paterson? Senator Paterson: President, I'm not sure if you're listening closely to the minister's answer, but it was way, way, way off. On direct relevance, I ask that you pull him back to the question. The PRESIDENT: I always listen carefully, Senator Paterson, and I will draw the minister back to your question. Senator AYRES: What I was illustrating, of course—and I'll get to that little part of your question that brushed with the facts in due course—was that Mr Morrison's approach was to take climate negotiations as a holiday opportunity. The PRESIDENT: Minister Ayres—to the question. Senator AYRES: This government is taking an entirely different approach, resolving the wreckage where 24 out of 28 coalfired power stations announced their closure or brought their closure forward with no action—not one new generator, not any substantial infrastructure. Under us— Senator Paterson interjecting— Senator AYRES: Senator, don't you worry; we'll get there. We've got 28 seconds. The PRESIDENT: Minister Ayres, please resume your seat. Senator Paterson? Senator Paterson: The minister is helpfully signposting that he has no intention of answering my question, by saying he'll get there. I think it's a fair indication that he is not being directly relevant. The PRESIDENT: I am listening carefully. I have directed the minister to your question. I take at face value that he will get there, but, if he doesn't, I will remind him of your question. Senator AYRES: Renewables, backed by storage, gas and hydro, is the lowest possible source of electricity generation. We are battling against a decade of inaction, inertia and policy paralysis that characterise your show, which is getting worse, and power prices will always be lower under our orderly model than under your disorderly show. The PRESIDENT: Senator Paterson, first supplementary?