Senator CHRIS EVANS (Western Australia—Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:18): Fundamentally at the heart of Senator Cormann's question is a falsehood. There is record investment in oil and gas and in mining in Australia, a huge— Senator Cormann: Have you spoken to them recently? Senator CHRIS EVANS: Senator, look at the figures. Instead of your unrelenting ideology, have a look at the facts, read the reports, talk to the mining industry. There is record investment, record pipeline and enormous employment growth in the mining industry and in oil and gas. The commodity prices have come off, and business has— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Evans, resume your seat. When there is silence we will proceed. Senator CHRIS EVANS: Relentlessly talking down the economy in this country by the Liberal and National parties is absolutely bad for confidence, bad for jobs. What we know is that there is record investment, a record pipeline of coming investment, and the mining industry remains strong. Commodity prices are impacting on decisions at the moment but the investment they have made will see production at very high levels for many— (Time expired)