Senator BERNARDI (South Australia) (14:45): Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I refer the minister to the statement issued yesterday by BHP Billiton in which CEO Marius Kloppers is quoted as saying: … all investment options are scrutinised as they move through our approvals process— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Bernardi, just wait a minute. You are entitled to be heard in silence. Senator BERNARDI: Mr President, would you like me to start again? The PRESIDENT: No, you just continue. Senator BERNARDI: He continued by saying: and our highest returning projects are prioritised. Does the minister accept that the higher operating costs in Australia, including as a result of government policies like the carbon tax, make projects like the Olympic Dam expansion less likely to be prioritised for investment compared with the many other investment options that exist worldwide?