Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Hansard source

Whilst their questions may not be identical, I clearly answered this question in my previous answer. I said in my statement earlier today that, in late 2016 to 2017, I spoke with a series of farmers across my electorate and elsewhere about the concerns they had, and they pointed me to the 2014 submission from the National Farmers' Federation. And I go on in this letter—this letter is important because it captured the concerns of the farmers. It said, 'Based on the information provided, in the NFF's view it is highly unlikely that an individual farmer would be able to assess their responsibilities under the EPBC.' So this is a listing where the farmers were in a situation where they were not able to assess whether efficient pasture improvement and weed management could, indeed, be compliant. That is a very real concern for people who farm, and we understand farming on this side of the House. But I think what those opposite are actually suggesting is that farmers should be named, and there is a very important piece of legislation going in front of this parliament in the coming weeks where there is an opportunity for you to decide whether naming farmers in the face of activism should be permitted.

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